Andrew and Vanessa met on a night out at the casinos in February 2016. Vanessa was visiting South Lake Tahoe for the weekend while scouting places to live and work in North Lake Tahoe after graduating college. Determined to step outside her comfort zone and meet locals, she wandered into Dotty’s—where fate (and her new forever friends) (cough, Bryan and Tyler) introduced her to Andrew. Any Tahoe local knows Dotty’s for its cheap drinks and irresistible charm (Yes, Tahoe friends, we know...we’re kidding!). That night, they continued their adventure at MontBleu, drinking Red Bull vodkas (classy, we know), and dancing the night away before exchanging numbers. From then on, Andrew always made it a point to stay in touch, leading up to Vanessa’s big move to Tahoe in May.

Andrew and Vanessa’s story began on the waters of Lake Tahoe. For their first date, Andrew took Vanessa boating with friends—an experience that felt instantly familiar and exciting for someone who grew up around boats. As they toured Emerald Bay, a friend captured a candid photo of them smiling at each other on Fannette Island’s historic Tea House. After a day on the lake, they spent the evening at Andrew’s friend’s house barbecuing and playing corn hole. Surrounded by great company, Vanessa felt at home—like she had found her people and her place. In December 2017, they moved in together in Incline Village, NV, embracing life in North Lake Tahoe before eventually settling in South Lake Tahoe. Their journey together has spanned nine years of building a life of adventure, travel, growth, and unconditional love.