We are so excited to start our life together. Thank you for celebrating this special occasion with us.

His Version: We were introduced to each other by a mutual friend, Jan Pfeifer. When I worked the X Games that year Jan left a note for me to text Casie. We started texting back and forth and talked on the phone for a month before we had our first date. Her version: I believe it was shortly after moving to Evergreen Jan (fondly nick named my “Aspen mom”) mentioned that when I was ready she had someone she wanted me to meet. She told me about how he stays at her house every year while he works the X-games and just went on about what a standup gentleman he is. She told me to file it away in the back my mind and to let her know when I was ready. I put her off a few more times over the next year or two when she brought it up. When I did get myself back into the social scene it quickly became disenchanting. I told my friends I needed a mountain boy who was a disciple of Christ and a gentleman. Then Jan’s description of Jeremy popped back into my head. In talking with Jan, as X-games approached yet another year, I finally gave her permission to give him my contact info. Once Jeremy and I began interacting we found we had a lot of mutual connections and find it rather odd to this day we hadn’t ever actually met before.

His Version Our first date was at Loveland Ski Resort. We spent the day skiing/riding together. I always had a requirement that my future wife had to snowboard or at least ski. Luckily, Casie did both and she was able to keep up so that made for a good day on the hill. Afterward, we drove into Silverthorne for dinner, but the first two restaurants we picked were super busy and we didn’t have a reservation so we ended up at a cook your own steak restaurant. After our time on the hill and during dinner I was sweet on her and knew this was going to be a special relationship. Her Version By the time we met up for the first time I knew enough to know that this guy looked good on paper, but it was time for the next level litmus test. We have several common interests so finding something to do was not a problem. I was nervous about how well we might mesh or conflict with him on a snowboard and me on skis, as well as wondering if my skiing abilities were sufficient. Spending a day on the mountain together is always a good test of patience and kindness, and he passed with flying colors. He was easy to carry a conversation with and we had several adventuring stories to exchange during our lift time throughout the day. It was a gorgeous bluebird day on the mountain, although a bit windy at times. I was happy with my skiing performance throughout the day as I was able to keep up with his speed better than I had anticipated (or he slowed down enough out of kindness, yet to be determined). I noticed he had a nice smile and height to him, but its tough to really get a feel for the person underneath all the outdoor gear, so I was glad to sit down to dinner to get to know him more personally. He had boasted about his grilling abilities, so I charged him with deciding when my steak was just right. Passed again. We had a great time together, and I could see myself spending more time getting to know this guy. By the end of the night we had plans to meet up again in a few weeks.

His Version I had Casie and the girls drive up to my house for the proposal. I had some roses and Calla Lilies (her favorite flower) with a card in the guest room, so she would find them when she changed into her winter gear, but it took her a while to go into that room to see the flowers. After she got the flowers, we took the ATV with the girls up to Slide Lake (a mountain lake behind my house); we had a little trouble getting through the snow, but we made it to the parking area. We then had to blaze a trail through a foot of snow for a quarter mile to get up to the lake. Once at the lake the girls played a bit, while I was trying to figure out the best way to propose. After sitting in the snow, I decided to get on my knees to get out of the snow and then Casie stood up to leave. I thought this was the perfect time so I said, “I have another surprise, will you marry me?” I’m pretty sure she thought I was kidding because I had done that before and then I pulled out the ring and she knew it was legit. After she said yes, I asked the girls if I could marry their mom and they said yes. I had gotten the girls diamond pendants so I presented those to them. I had prepared this great speech, but I didn’t use any of it. Casie was surprised, because she didn’t think I’d do it with the girls there, but I always wanted to have them there. I wasn’t too worried about her freaking out and running off, because we were in a foot of snow, 5 miles away from anything and I had the keys to the ATV so she wouldn’t have gotten far.

I was not clued into Jeremy’s plan that day because of the fact that the girls were going to be with us all day. When I found the flowers I still didn’t even think it meant anything other than just him being his usual sweet self. A lot of people call us crazy for going up that trail in the snow, but that’s just the type of adventurers we are, and it meant we had the place to ourselves. The lake itself is serene and secluded, giving it a spiritual and romantic feel. I was the first person Jeremy took to this favorite spot of his, so it became “our” place. The first time he took me there was the day he first told me he loved me, so the location was nothing short of perfect. We sat on the snowy beach of the frozen lake and enjoying the scenery and playing in the snow. Heading out, Jeremy stayed down on his knees and caught my attention when he asked, “What would you say if I had another surprise?” I was unsure of how to answer that question, so I just looked at him a little dumfounded until he finally pulled out a box and just held it out to me unopened, and asked “Will you marry me?” I remember glancing at the girls standing a few feet away to make sure they were witnessing what was happening and exchange gleeful glances, then I turned back to him and said YES! At this point his nervousness started to show through. He just held the box out to me and I sort of cued him that now he is supposed to get the ring out and put it on me. He then turned to the girls and asked if he could marry their mom. They also said yes! Continuing talking to them, he said “Well since I am joining your family I got you something too.” He extra wowed us all then by pulling out TWO more jewelry boxes! He got the girls each a diamond in their favorite color! These are the things I love about him, that he is so caring and inclusive of the girls. It was a perfect approach for us and our family. I love everything Jeremy is and can’t wait to get to spend eternity continuing to grow together.