Annie's POV It all started at Basecamp Fitness, the high-intensity interval training gym where we both worked out. Basecamp is known for its fast-paced workouts, loud music, and yes—the infamous assault bikes. That’s where our story really begins. Back in mid-December 2023, we found ourselves in the same class, right next to each other. After a few casual exchanges, I finally worked up the courage to talk to Matt. From that moment on, something just clicked—dare I say it was love at first sight... or maybe love at first bike. I went home that day and texted my friend Madison Parker: “Random, but do you know Matthew Canon from Basecamp?” She replied: “Name sounds familiar.” And I said: “He’s my future husband.” She responded: “PRECIOUS.” I even started going around Basecamp telling people Matt was the love of my life—even though we hadn’t had a real conversation yet. It became an inside joke in the gym community for months. Then came the February Fire Challenge—a partner workout competition. That’s when Abby, one of the managers, had news for Matt: she already had a partner lined up for him. (Spoiler alert: it was me.) That’s also when phone numbers were exchanged. After a couple of weeks without running into each other, fate stepped in. We were scheduled for the same class again. I showed up with my makeup done and hair on point, fully prepared… until I completely stuttered while asking Matt for his bike height as we shared an assault bike. He just laughed—and I was mortified. A few days later, I invited him to join my friends and me at a brewery for game night. He said yes, and we’ve been each other’s favorite workout and life partners ever since. Matt's POV I can't say I remember too many encounters with anybody during the first couple of months of working out at basecamp due to just trying to survive. However, I did always remember a pretty blonde that seemed to one up me at every workout. I even let out a, "Holy crap! You're really strong!" A couple of months pass and Annie and I are paired up "randomly" for a challenge thanks to Abby & Olivia. "Is this a setup?" I wondered to myself, but kept my suspicions quiet. Then they gave me her number to talk "strategy". At this point -I thought, "This is definitely a setup". We texted back and forth for a little bit talking about run clubs (she had no interest in running), work, and any other random topic to keep the conversation alive. The challenge starts, and I miss half of it. Annie politely and sternly asks, "So are you going to make a workout?" It was as good as time as any to finally workout with my life long partner. Bike heights were awkwardly asked, sneaky looks were caught, and a love started that would lead us here today after I was asked over text to join her for a game night.

Matthew's POV From the stories Annie would tell me, the zoo was always a special place for her. After racking my brain for a proposal idea for what felt like ages, I finally went with my gut to use the zoo. One of our very close friends, Katie, was the inside agent to help orchestrate this. We talked about where we could possibly execute the mission. We finally landed on feeding the giraffes. Before this day even happened, Annie was suspicious of any and every date I was suggesting. I had fun poking and teasing her about when it was coming MONTHS from day I had planned. I had Lauren, Rachel, and Grace sway her off any path that might lead her to find out. It was fun at first, but - after a while - Annie and I were both ready. Annie did not believe for a second that there were giraffe feedings held at the zoo. She believed this until I actually got the tickets for it day of. Her hopes were dashed. 1:30. 1:30 was the time to be at the feeding. We walked around the zoo close to an hour before it was our time. The nerves began to get to me as we neared the exhibit that only we suspiciously were allowed access to. We started to feed Niklas, and I was ready to get this show on the road. After hearing some fun giraffe feeding facts, our photographer asked if we would like some pictures. We started to pose and I asked "You know I love you right?" She responded with a hesitated "uhhhh yeah?" I dropped to one knee and asked the easiest question of my life. "Will you marry me?" Annie's POV Matt and I had talked about spending forever together since the first time we mentioned it—on the pullout couch in Gatlinburg, the very spot where he told me he loved me for the first time, just a month after we had started dating. Everything in our relationship has been fast-paced, so after about 10 months of dating, it was time to go ring shopping. After that, I had a feeling it could happen anytime. But Matt kept putting this oddly specific emphasis on May or June. Still, with every date he suggested, I wanted to make sure I was ready—just in case. Then one random Sunday, he asked me about going on a zoo date the following Saturday—March 1st. Of course, I raised an eyebrow when he said, “I’m going to buy us giraffe feeding tickets for 1:30.” I Googled it… giraffe feedings didn’t start until 2:00. My friends convinced me I had officially gone off the deep end. Matt had also been teasing me about never proposing, and I was honestly starting to feel a little sad. Then the zoo date came, and to be honest, I didn’t suspect much—until he told me to dress nicer. And before I knew it, we were at the giraffe exhibit, where a photographer just happened to be nearby… and we were somehow let in early. After a few unsolicited facts about Niklas the giraffe, Matt turned to me and said, “You know I love you, right?” I replied, “Uhh, yeah…” thinking, Is he trying to propose right now? Then he dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the easiest yes of my life, and Niklas the giraffe made sure we’d never forget it by headbutting me right after.