We’re both Michiganders, Emily from Bay City and Brad from Petoskey, and we both attended the University of Michigan (go blue!). Throughout our 20s, we shaped our individual paths, picked up new hobbies, and cultivated passion for adventure. Fate (...Tinder) brought us together in Denver in 2020, where we quickly discovered we had dozens of mutual friends and overlapping interests. After surviving a second-date quarantine situation during the height of COVID, we figured we could handle just about anything life throws our way. As our relationship evolved, so did our desire for a lifestyle shift, one with less traffic, closer mountains, slower mornings, and water nearby. In the spring of 2022, we took the leap. We sold most of our belongings, packed the rest into a truck, and hit the road... bound for Alaska.

In 2022, we spent three unforgettable weeks in Montana on our drive up to Alaska. We instantly fell in love with the vast landscapes, charming towns, hearty culture, towering peaks, serene lakes, and peaceful rivers. The historic architecture and cozy neighborhoods of the Flathead Valley, especially the east side of Kalispell, captured our hearts and ultimately became the place we chose to plant our roots. Since then, we’ve grown to love the rhythm of life here. We walk to our local bakery every week for fresh bagels, embrace the changing seasons with hobbies tailored to each one, and take full advantage of the incredible after-work adventures right outside our door. From skiing at Whitefish to quiet visits to Glacier National Park in the off-season, we’ve found favorite spots that feel like our own. Our weekends are filled with wild quests, and our daily walks with Gouda through the neighborhood, especially when the leaves are changing, are pure magic. We’ve hosted a steady stream of visitors, each one adding to the joy of sharing this place. And in just three short years, we’ve built a community that feels like home. We’d be honored to share our little slice of paradise, and our love, with you this summer.