Like so many epic love stories, ours began the modern way: with a dating app. Fate matched two people who were next-door neighbors in Tempe, running in the same circles without ever quite crossing paths at Arizona State University. Our first date was a sunset picnic at Dobbins Lookout in Arizona. Ryan was so nervous, he missed his exit (twice). Ariella knew he was serious when he offered her a coveted Spotted Cow, imported straight from Wisconsin. From there, the adventures only continued. Hiking the brutally steep Flatiron as a second date maybe wasn't traditional, but we quickly saw each other at our worst before even knowing each other's middle names. By the end of the week, we were camping in Sedona together, knowing that we'd found an adventure buddy for life. In the five years since, we've stood atop countless summits, rafted through canyoned river valleys, climbed rock walls, skied powder so good it made us forget the days of skiing ice, and camped beneath starry skies that bring us right back to the first one we experienced together. Some of our favorite adventures have included thru-hiking nearly 300 miles along the John Muir Trail just one year into our relationship, proving we could live in a cramped tent for a month and still love each other after; surviving Ryan teaching Ariella how to ski – and now getting to ski all winter and spring together; adopting Huck, our adventure cat and full-time agent of chaos; building a home and community in Colorado; and getting engaged in the depths of Canyonlands National Park in Utah on a backpacking trip in March 2025. This next adventure – celebrating with all of you – is one we've been dreaming of. We can't wait to share our favorite chapter yet, in the place we love most with all of the people we love! Lots of love, Ariella & Ryan