We met, as many couples do, by sheer coincidence and a mutual acquaintance. The two of us both attended Plymouth State University and passed our individual nights by bopping around the town socializing and causing minor acts of mischief. It was one such spring night when both our lives would be forever changed. Dhane was heading downtown with his roommate, Robin heading up the hill with hers when by absolute chance we (almost literally) ran into each other in front of the local Mexican Joint. Neon lights and the smell of pressed tortillas leaked out the front of the restaurant, and it was in those lights that Dhane recognized Robin's roommate. A brief dialogue began, the casual where are you going, where are you coming from. Roommates were introduced and plans were re-arranged, and we collectively decided to spend the night hanging out together at a gathering down the street. We walked downtown making small talk and eventually found our way into a throng of college students. Bright lights, loud music, and many bodies. Hellos were said to familiar faces, the rounds were made, and eventually Dhane and Robin found their way back together. It was at this moment their relationship began. The overpowering stimuli, the constant yelling over terrible music proved to much for our more benign tendencies. We both decided to step outside and we made our way to the top of a small hill directly behind the house. It was there we spent the night, the entire night, in deep conversation. The party went on beneath us, flashing lights and yelling young adults. But there we were, just the two of us sitting on the hillside, passing the night away as we talked and listened to each other for the first time.

Fast forward eight years after that night. We had graduated college, moved to Utah, found our way back east, and settled into our "careers" after years of seasonal work. The two of us were raised in the great outdoors, and it has always been a major part of our personal and professional lives. Since we both had lived in New Hampshire we had been working towards completing our 48, which is to hike the 48 peaks above 4000 feet in the White Mountains. Neither of us took it too seriously, preferring to hike the less crowded and more beautiful summits scattered around the area. But, eventually, the list was getting shorter and shorter, and Dhane realized that there was one left that neither of them had done yet. Patiently waiting over the years, their individual lists shrunk until finally they both had one remaining summit, South Kinsman. It was on a beautiful day surrounded by endless sun and good company that Dhane got on one knee and asked Robin to marry him. She said yes! And with that, they ended one major chapter of their lives on that final summit and began a new one together, forever.