In the era of swipes and digital profiles, Rich and Steph's love story began on a dating app. Rich found himself scrolling through profiles one evening when a certain someone caught his eye. It was Steph, perched on a rock in a beautiful wilderness. This boulder is one he knew very well, for it sat high in the mountains near Logan Pass in one of his favorite places on Earth: Glacier National Park. It was an automatic "swipe." Their first date was a memorable evening marked by an immediate spark of chemistry. Laughter, easy conversation, and a mutual desire to delve deeper and learn more about each other. The connection was so strong that they ended up spending time together until Steph had to leave for work that very next morning. Initially, Rich was unaware of Steph's unique resilience and dedication. She was, in his eyes, an absolute soldier. The very next day, after Steph's shift, they continued to spend time together. However, an amusing situation unfolded due to Rich's aversion to blood. Steph, needing rehydration, intended to initiate an IV on herself. The catch: it involved dealing with blood, something Rich had a strong dislike for. As Steph initiated the procedure, blood spurted onto Rich's hand and he became very lightheaded and proceeded to elevate his legs to prevent fainting, while Steph, in contrast, couldn't contain her laughter. The relationship has been marked by each partner's capacity to complement and balance the other. Together, they share laughter, a sense of fun, and a deep passion for experiencing the great outdoors, gazing at the heavens, and infusing joy into every aspect of their lives.

One beautiful summer day in 2023, Rich, Steph, Audrey, Elaina, and Erica got up early to get into Glacier National Park before the parking lots filled up. The day started before dawn, and we knew it would be a challenging hike: both mentally and physically. We decided to do the Highline Trail along with the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Everyone was following the ideal of PVO (positive vibes only), mainly championed by Erica. We love nature, so this was a perfect spot for the big moment. Steph had no idea. We put on our hiking boots and carried our backpacks filled with water and snacks. The trail was steep and winding, and we hiked for what felt like forever. We were all tired, but the breathtaking views kept us going. Finally, we made it to Grinnell Glacier Overlook, after a grueling spur that was nearly one mile long and 2000 feet of altitude gain. It was a place so high up that it felt like we were on top of the world. The views were jaw-dropping. We could see the glacier below us, the stunning turquoise blue lake it fed into, and the majestic mountains all around. As we caught our breath and took in the views, I decided it was the right time. We walked out to the ledge to get a better view, and once positioned we posed for a picture. Then, I got down on one knee and asked her to make the happiest man alive. Steph looked surprised, and honestly probably didn’t even hear me the first time—she was also maybe a little tired from the hike, but her eyes lit up with excitement and curiosity. Erica and Elaina’s help was enlisted to film and photograph the moment. Tears welled up in my partner's eyes as they nodded and said, "Yes!" We both smiled and laughed with joy as I slipped the ring onto their finger. It was the perfect moment in the perfect place, after a tiring but enriching journey. We spent the rest of the day celebrating our love and taking in the incredible surroundings. Glacier National Park will forever be a special place for us, where our love story took a new and exciting turn.