We met at a retirement party and immediately connected; we decided to meet the next day to go paddle Butte Creek together. Despite Owen working construction in the Chico summer heat and Ellie working 7 days a week as a raft guide and camp counselor, we both look back on that summer with happy memories--we were falling in love! We had creek and burrito dates, went swimming, and kept making it work to spend lots of time together between our busy schedules.

We moved in together the year Ellie moved out of the dorms, into a sweet house we'd call home for 5 more years. We studied, made a home together with our dear friends, and worked every summer on the river. In summer 2018 we started guiding together on the American, later went to guide out in Utah/Colorado for 3 years, and then taught kayaking on the American starting in 2022. We went to Nepal in 2019 together, and explored around Peru in 2020.

We moved into our own (basement) studio together as Ellie began her Teaching Credential program, and Owen moved into his last year in Interior Architecture studies. It was so sweet to have our own "house" and support each other through some intense school! We continued working as whitewater kayak instructors (at Camp Lotus!) during this time period too. We were both so excited to graduate in May.

After graduating, we've been enjoying lots of travel around the world and working seasonally as kayak instructors! The first Fall after graduating, we flew to Europe. We got engaged in Cinque Terra, ate so much good food, and gallivanted around Switzerland, France, and Spain as well. Not long after returning from this trip, we were off to Chile to fulfill a lifelong dream of doing a big kayak tour there. The trip was so good, we decided to go back the following year for more paddling! We spent time in Chile again, as well as a 26 day expedition trip in Peru. We love supporting each other as we embark on trips, travels, and test our limits.

Ellie and Owen are living in Chico, substitute teaching and working construction. Ellie is hoping to get a job in the Chico School District teaching high school Biology and Chemistry, starting in the Fall! Owen is doing lots of remodeling, and working toward opening his own design and build business.