We met as freshmen at Wyoming Catholic College. Some of Beau's best friends, Pat and Josh, were also some of Marissa's best friends and our earliest memories together include studying together with them (or rather, Marissa was studying, the others were pretending to) in the Parish classroom building, working on a philosophy paper in between tasks while working a catering event, and long van rides for outdoor trips. Then, after freshman year, Beau transferred to another school...

...though we were at different schools, we still talked occasionally, mostly when Beau needed a paper edited. Then, after we graduated, our close friendships with Pat and Josh kept us in the same circles even though we lived in different states, so we would run into each other at weddings, birthday parties, and other events. The more often that happened, the closer our friendship became, and Marissa started receiving phone calls occasionally when Beau was driving his long commutes to or from work or needed advice about a girl...

...eventually, after not so subtly rebuffing any advances on Beau's part before he even got a chance to try, Marissa started to realize that maybe she was interested after all. Entering into 2024, our calls had become more frequent. Beau decided to come to Lander for the 4th of July to experience the renowned townwide celebration that all the locals and many non-locals look forward to every year. Little did he know he was going to leave with a girlfriend. A day or two into his visit, in the middle of a conversation about something else, Marissa said: "I think you should ask me out." Time must have slowed down for Beau, because he'll tell you he had to stop and think about it, but to Marissa his response was without hesitation: "I think so too". Three days later we were dating, and shortly after that Marissa left for a family reunion and Beau returned to Texas...

...having been friends for so long, it didn't take us long once we started dating to realize that this was it. In early February, unknown to Marissa, Beau made the long drive from Texas to Wyoming. Marissa was expecting a video call and instead received a knock on the door. Fresh off the road, Beau proceeded to tell Marissa that he had something for her in the car. When he came back in he was carrying...whisky and candied jalapenos... He then asked if Marissa wanted to go out to Sinks Canyon. So we drove out to the canyon and found a place to park at the Swinging Bridge. Shortly thereafter, Beau tells Marissa that he has something else for her and, after rummaging around in his stuff, hands her a jewelry box, which she opens to find...earrings... While she was looking at the very-pretty-but-not-a-ring earrings, he pulls out the ring and says "Is this what you were expecting?" He asked her to marry him and she said yes...

We can't wait to see to see what our life together holds! And yes, for those of you who are wondering, Marissa will be moving to Texas.