In the early Spring of 2018, I wanted to explore a new hobby, sailing. A friend with a boat was looking for crew to race Wednesday night regattas. I must admit I was super nervous and remember walking up to the boat thinking I must have lost my mind. Having never been on a sailboat I had no idea what I was in for. It was cold, super windy and I was terrified that first time, but it was also exhilarating and fun. I came back the next week to a little warmer weather and calmer wind. I got to know the rest of the crew which included Dan. They let me join the team for that first race series. Over the next few months Wednesday nights became the highlight of my week. While enjoying the racing and water, our friendship started. Sunset photos on the boat, despite the captain’s chagrin, became a weekly tradition. One Friday night I got a text from Dan inviting me out the next day to the dock. One of our fellow crew was buying his own sailboat and we were going to take it out. On the dock that day we took a photo and I remember thinking there is something special about this guy. I still look at that photo almost 5 years later as the first day of us. In June Dan asked me on our first official date. We began spending more and more time together, introducing each other to our friends and family. Now 5 years later its surreal to think how much time has gone by and how much we have experienced together. Kids graduating high school, new careers, moves and the loss of loved ones are all part of this crazy, sometimes hard but always beautiful life together. On the anniversary of our first date in June last year Dan planned a weekend for us at the same lake we met on back in 2018. As we sat on the dock watching the sun set and reminiscing, he proposed. I read a quote once that instantly rang true at that moment; One day you will find someone who chooses you and continues to choose you every day. And that’s when you will be thankful that everything happened the way it did. We are so blessed and honored to have our family and friends join us in celebrating our wedding this coming September on the lake where it all began.