We had been just friends for years until the end of Dani’s bachelor’s program at the U. On a graduation trip in Lake Powell, we shared a romantic sunset and began an awkward summer and fall of hanging out, hiking, climbing, and mountain biking together while still trying to stay “Just Friends”. While working part-time at the Salt Lake REI, Dani had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of the new Farmington location and invited Jackson as her plus one. We had an even more awkward than usual night of meeting Dani’s work friends from REI and some of Jackson’s friends from Ogden, all of whom presumed we were dating. When Dani would try to explain we were just friends, people would say, “Sure”, and wink at us. We had taken the train to Farmington with our bikes, but when it came time to leave, Dani had the bright idea of riding home on Legacy Parkway. We found out the parkway was closed in sections due to flooding. After a whole hour of climbing over barricades and tossing our bikes over to one another, we both agreed to take the train for the last leg (which also turned out to be a massive detour at that point). We end up at the Woods Cross Frontrunner station at 10 pm on a November night. As we sat waiting another 40 minutes for the last train, Dani realised Jackson was the type of person who would tolerate her crazy adventures and drag her into his own. She threw her hands up and said, “Ugh! We should just be dating!” COVID happened, and Jackson graduated from his bachelor’s program that spring. He moved to Denver to figure out what it was like living outside of Utah, while Dani remained to finish her Master’s degree. After only six months of officially dating, they decided to give long-distance a go. Two months into the long-distance relationship, Milli was added to the gang. Our loving creature who would spend six months a year with each of us. Jackson’s job transitioned from Denver to Fresno to San Diego. All the while making time to see each other for about a week a month. Heavily thanks in part to Dani’s sweet job, she landed working for the State of Utah. After three and a half years of long-distance, Jackson decided that Utah was, in fact, where he wanted to be. In September 2025, during a family trip in Romania, Dani impulsively bought a wedding dress in Romania, which we are still not sure if it will actually show up in time. She immediately spilt the beans to Jackson, telling him “not to freak out”. Jackson took that as a big hint that it was time to propose. After returning from Romania, we had already planned to go to Vernal, Utah and check out the new public access via ferrata that was recently completed before everyone else figured out it was there. In the interim, Jackson had coordinated with our families and the friends joining us on that trip about the proposal to come. All the while, Dani was unaware. At the scenic outcropping, we were admiring the stunning vista of the Ashley Gorge while still tied into the lifeline. While Dani admired the view, Jackson reminisced about how amazing all of our adventures were over the last 5 years and how there would be so many more to come! Dani turned around to find Jackson on one knee, presenting a ring, while still tied off of course! Dani, obviously, said yes and now we are both so excited to celebrate our union with all of you!