On February 8th 2019 Cierra walked out of a blizzard and into our Mammoth Mountain ski cabin with her signature smile and armful of Costco delights. Little did either of us know that we’d be walking down the aisle together on July 27th 2024. Originally planned as a boys ski trip, to our delight on night one, our friend Nick called to let us know there would be a young lady joining us for the weekend. Outside the storm was raging, feeling the powder frenzy, we caught a little sleep that night and the boys slipped out the door as the sun was rising to catch first chair. No brides on powder days. After a truly epic face shot filled day, we returned to the condo with stories of our powder pillaging. Poor Cierra realizing we didn’t know if she could keep up and had decided to ditch her, and us realizing she had to ride with Nick for the day, fighting the crowds and lift lines at Mammoth and eventually retreating to the bar after only a few runs. The storm continued to rage through the weekend, as the snow piled up, the lifts shut down, the highway closed, and our trip got extended. It was in these snowbound days I got to better understand this beautiful blonde that happened purely by chance. She was single, I was single; what were the odds. That weekend I offered more free shoulder massages to Cierra than the entirety of my life. The massages worked, I grabbed her phone number and texted the next week. Would she be interested in a date to Dave & Busters for Palentine's day? She obliged, much to my dismay the evening of arcades & beers changed, and we ended up with a group of friends at an uncomfortably high end establishment. Martinis flowed, as the seafood tower and Opus One orders kept coming, the tab kept rising and not wanting to cause a scene I agreed to split the bill with the other gentleman at the table. The most expensive dinner date we’ve shared to this day. We courted each other through the spring, spending more and more time together, sharing our hopes and dreams over many rounds of golf. The more time we spent together the less time we wanted to spend apart. At Sam & Katrina’s wedding I was lucky enough to make the plus one list. A grand affair with many of her close friends I had yet to meet. As girls do, I was cornered, and all the girls asked if I was Cierra's boyfriend. It felt right and I replied “of course,” they all laughed and said that I had to actually ask her to be her boyfriend which I immediately did on the spot. July 4th 2019 we became official. That Fall I casually asked Cierra if she could ski anywhere in the world at any time where would that be, she said Switzerland. I said let’s do it, and fast forward 5 months we planned our first grand trip together as a couple. Many months later, we were riding in a glass window Swiss rail car, playing backgammon, drinking wine and it was in that moment I knew I could spend the rest of my life with this perfect woman. Due to COVID restrictions in Italy, we hastily rerouted the ski trip to Austria & Switzerland. On that trip we discovered our love for Austria, and for each other. There are two types of travelers: the independent & driven type, bringing energy to the trip, planning & executing. Then there’s the other type that is just along for the ride, and she’s the type that brings the energy, helps with planning, and takes a negative & spins it into one of the greatest trips of our lives. It’s been a fast 5 years together, both of us pushing each other to be the best version of ourselves, working through personal and professional growth. Taking time to appreciate our health, our families, our friends and making the best memories possible. We are looking forward to seeing you all, and making a commitment to one another to continue to make each other better and take one step at a time, to enhance the lives of those around us. -Stephen Sloan