Technology based entrepreneurship, a blow off class - great for an easy credit for the first semester of my junior year. The classroom is full of nerds, as expected, but on that first day of class I spot an incredibly attractive, obviously fun and outgoing girl sitting in the front row. I made a mental note to try and get to know her and ask her out that week. Unfortunately for me, about 60 seconds into class she stands up and says "hey class, good to meet you all, I will be your TA this semester!" SO, what you do when the coolest, hottest girl in school is your TA? Firstly, become way too intimidated to talk to her. Second, realize she is a senior and wouldn't want to hang with you anyway. Third, follow her on Instagram and realize she is in fact my dream girl (hiking, adventuring, skiing, you get the picture). Fourth, wear your best flannels to class everyday. Fifth, wake up before class and realize you don't have a date to that weekends date party and get your roomate to give you a pep talk. Finally, after class that day, pull aside the "way to cool for you TA" and ask her out! Now at this point I was expecting a polite excuse as to why she couldn't make it, but somehow, she actually said yes. It wasn't long before we both realized that we had found someone that we really might click with. Follow that up with an amazing camping trip (that she insisted on as the third date), me blowing up my hand with a firework, more than a few crazy Covid adventures, a leap of faith move out to Boston, and you get two people madly in love with one another that can't fathom life without the other.

Most of you know that I don't really like to live life according to plan. Spontaneity (and maybe little chaos) is in my DNA. As such, whenever Forrest brought up the topic of marriage I would say - wait a few more years, "let's wing it!". Finally, he near insisted that we get engaged in the Fall of 2023 and I agreed (I knew I was going to marry the guy someday anyway). But, as it often does, life had a surprise in store for us. On February 3rd, 2023 any plans we had got thrown out the window. On that very special day, we found out that we were 6 weeks pregnant, despite taking allegedly the "most effective" precautions. At that point, we knew that this was exactly we wanted, and were determined to set up the best possible life for our growing family. So, when Forrest and I decided to stay a couple extra days after a trip to Steamboat Springs with a group of friends, I should have been a little more suspicious when he was suddenly extra smiley and exceptionally helpful around the house. Despite my being oblivious, on March 8th - the same day we found out our sweet baby is a boy! - we set out for a snowshoe at Fish Creek Falls. As we rounded a corner, his parents, my sisters, and my two best friends emerged from the trees. When I turned around, Forrest was down on one knee with a Cherry Ring Pop - which he had remembered I'd once insisted was the only way I'd ever say yes :) Easiest yes I ever did say!