In the final months of 2022, Evelyn and Josh made the fateful decision to participate in the First Pres Fellows program in Colorado Springs - a 9 month post graduate leadership & development program. 2 small fish in the big pond of Colorado Springs. Evelyn came from Grove City College in western PA and Josh came from the greatest university in the world: The University of Tennessee (can you guess who’s writing this yet?). Evelyn did not show up to the first fellows gathering at the local ice cream shop - building the suspense of her introduction to the 2023 fellows class. She arrived for the first Sunday church service with all the fellows, and Josh fell in love at first sight.. well maybe not but Josh still remembers the dress Evelyn was wearing. The chase slowly began. Evelyn and Josh settled into their fellows year in their own ways. Eventually, three things brought them even closer together: Manitou incline Monday, trail run Tuesday, and City Rock climbing. Manitou incline Monday was a hiking routine enjoyed by both Evelyn and Josh even through the cold winter months. 3000 feet of elevation gain and very little conversation set the stage for the spark that was growing. Trail run Tuesday was a Tuesday evening ritual with Josh, Evelyn, & Eliza where Josh used running as an excuse to hang out with Evelyn. Eliza, a loyal friend & supporter, picked up on the hints and eventually encouraged the beginning of their relationship. City rock climbing was a weekly get-together for Josh and Evelyn to “just climb” together. Josh learned to belay so that they could become a dynamic climbing team. Despite a fierce fear of heights, Josh persevered to continue being around Evelyn. Eventually the season was ripe for Evelyn and Josh to declare their feelings for each other. In March of 2024, they went for a trail run where they finally confessed their true feelings for each other. Just a few weeks later, Josh invited himself to Evelyn’s summer European tour with her friends Ethan & Rachel. While it felt a bit early, Evelyn announced to her closest friends that maybe the trip would reveal if they were meant to be together. As one can imagine, Josh and Evelyn’s travels abroad only confirmed their love for each other & set the groundwork for their future hopes & dreams together. Upon returning to Colorado Springs, they conveniently moved into houses just 0.2 miles away from each other, where they’ve enjoyed many neighborhood walks over the past 2 years. While visiting Evelyn’s Dad in California this past October, Josh asked Evelyn to marry him while on a pristine morning beach walk. Josh now enjoys playing board games with Evelyn’s family and beating her Mom in Ticket to Ride. Evelyn has been to multiple Tennessee football games. She may or may not know the words to Rocky Top yet. Evelyn is training for a marathon. Josh is training for Monday night basketball at the church. Together they might become a power couple.