Unlike many couples, we have no recollection of the moment we met. From upbringings nestled in Appalachia, we both gravitated towards a liberal arts education in the heart of the Twin Cities. For almost two years at Macalester, we existed in individual orbit. Our first meeting could have been an encounter in the Economics Department, on the way to tennis or golf practice, or in line to use the cafeteria’s highly flammable panini press. The first clear memory we share is being classmates in a spring 2020 Accounting course. By late March though, we were no longer sharing a classroom. The shadow of COVID certainly split our lives apart, but ultimately brought our trajectories much closer together. When we returned to St. Paul in August for the next school year, we were “podmates,” connected more by mutual friends and living logistics than any bond to one another. Quickly though, our vague acquaintanceship became a fast friendship. Our common academic interests, student-athlete leadership roles, wonderful mutual friends, a love of all things games (shoutout Up & Down the River and MarioKart), and a passion for local/regional exploration kindled an incredible friendship. Fast forward to the fall of 2022 (insert whooshing sound here). Independently and unbeknownst to one another, we were both struggling with the burden of crushing on a best friend. For Jim, his feelings started to crystallize on Labor Day, when they hiked in Frontenac State Park and poked through the town of Red Wing in southeastern Minnesota. Conversation ranged from the British Prime Minister shake-up to childhood stories to challenges with colleagues at work. For Cameron, her feelings became apparent while visiting Shippensburg (Jim’s hometown in Pennsylvania) for the first time in November. The rolling hills, horses and buggies, and beautiful sunsets really have a way of plucking on one’s heartstrings. Thankfully, a risky New Year’s kiss between friends in the first moments of 2023 was the first of many that year, as we embarked on an exciting new chapter in our relationship! Over the next three years, we travelled, supported each other at sporting events, hiked, collaborated on needlepoint projects, cycled, spent time in the company of treasured friends, crafted, watched a lengthy season of Masterchef Australia, changed jobs, sampled new breweries, boated, built relationships with each other’s wonderful families, skied, shared too many hands of cards to count, cheered on the Pirates, solved crossword puzzles, fished, and played a lot of pickleball. Most importantly, we discovered the joy of journeying through life together. In October 2025 we got engaged on the shores of a quiet lake in the Chippewa National Forest. The camps of our youth hold deep significance for us. Cameron’s years at Camp Seafarer and Jim’s experiences through Boy Scout programs did much to shape us into the people we are today. Camp is a place to take strides in one’s life in the presence of a supportive community. It is in that spirit that we selected Camp Fire to host our nuptials. We cannot wait to welcome you there for an evening of fun, fellowship, and celebration!