We’re getting married!

On a warm summer evening in Washington, DC, in July 2017, Baylee and Mike separately made their way into a local REI store to buy race supplies for the upcoming weekend (because of course they were). As they wandered the store, Baylee caught Mike's eye. After wavering on new swim goggles (as Baylee remembers it: "I vaguely remember a cute guy lurking near the swim gear"), Mike wandered down the aisle where Baylee and her good friend Amanda were shopping (as Mike remembers it: "I made it seem totally casual."). With a polite gesture to get their attention (as Baylee remembers it: "he very loudly said 'Excuse me you're in my way.'"), a conversation sparked. They talked about their upcoming races and different types of fueling plans, both discreetly (i.e. shyly) letting the other know where they might be that upcoming weekend post-race. That initial spark lit a fire, and (thanks in no small part to Amanda's internet sleuthing skills to later track Mike down using his race results) it kept on burning! On an equally warm summer day in June 2020, Mike took Baylee for a hike in Shenandoah to get her mind off of her upcoming dissertation proposal. They had grown closer after moving in together, adopting a kitty, and learning to weather the stressors and fears of a global pandemic. They hiked up and down the valleys and talked about the ups and downs of navigating life. They laughed and talked about the future and laughed some more. After lunch on a cliff overlooking the Shenandoah valley, Baylee turned around to find Mike down on one knee asking her to marry him. After jumping around for nearly a minute (as Mike remembers it: "A very long minute."), Baylee said "Yes." Now, Mike and Baylee cannot wait to share a part of their everlasting flame with their guests. Welcome to our wedding!