Chelsea wanted to go hiking abroad, and posted on Twitter (half-joking half-serious) if anyone wanted to go hiking in Norway. A former classmate, Ryan, that she'd never really spoken to before, said he'd be interested. Did Ryan expect to then get sent a travel itinerary and budget for flights? Unclear - people say "that sounds fun!" to things all the time. Due to weather concerns the trip turned into Switzerland, and Ryan asked Chelsea if she wouldn't mind if his cousin, Lucas, who was "really interested", came along, too. Chelsea thought, hey, a 2 week trip to Europe with a guy she barely knows and one she's never met? Beats hiking with a random from her hostel, right? Meanwhile, Lucas was not "really interested" in going. Ryan had invited him, Lucas thought the premise of the trip was weird (his cousin and a girl he's never met), but eventually thought, what the hell. The two met for the first time in the car on the way to the airport. Lucas and Chelsea's first time even alone together came halfway through the trip, because Ryan could not be talked into going skydiving in Interlaken. The flight home was 7 hours of "oops, our legs are touching", and the rest, as they say, is history.

Marriage had been discussed. Rings had been looked at. But the ring would NOT be ready (physically or financially) in time for Lucas and Chelsea's trip to Peru in May 2023. Which made sense to Chelsea, since they had just looked at rings in late March / early April. Cue Peru. Day 1 of the Salkantay trek. A long but beautiful dawn to dusk high altitude hike. The hiking group is approaching the Salkantay pass, the highest point of the day at over 15,000 ft in elevation. The group is behind schedule, so the guides warn everyone that once they get to the pass, they'll take a few pictures and then continue on. Lucas has done this hike before and is struggling with the incline and the altitude. Chelsea hasn't and loves taking pictures. "I'll meet you at the pass," she tells Lucas, and picks up the pace, leaving Lucas behind. The Salkantay Pass is the only time she thinks, "This would be a good spot for a proposal", and then it's off her radar. Lucas had also thought that, but annoyed at having been abandoned, elects not to in this moment. Strike 1 for Chelsea. Another long day of hiking on Day 2, a route change thanks to a hand-written wooden sign that read "trail in good condition" followed by a sketchy basket ride across a fast-flowing river operated by a local's rope and pulley system for groceries, the group stayed in 'hobbit houses' terraced along the hill. The thought to propose there crossed Lucas's mind, but then the couple were at odds because only one of them had packed toiletries and Chelsea was willing to share, but insisted on showering first since 'they were hers'. The vibes were not good. Strike 2. Day 3 of the hike... an easier day than the last two, and getting within eyesight of Machu Picchu. The group reaches a ridge that overlooks the Machu Picchu ruins and the surrounding peaks and mountains. Lots of pictures are taken. They then hike down a little into a small clearing, where the guides share stories of the region's history. Lucas and Chelsea, along with the friend's they'd come with, end up naturally hanging back as the group hikes toward the night's camp. Lucas asks Chelsea if she wants to take any pictures from this spot. His friend is on standby to snap photos of the next moments. Chelsea looks out toward the brush, the mountains, and says, "No that's ok, I got better photos up on the ridge." Strike 3. The morning of Day 4. They awake in a tent overlooking another clear, sweeping view of the Machu Picchu mountains. Down toward the cliff edge is a bench and a small shelter. The sun will be up in a few minutes. The tent door is unzipped save for the bug screen. Lucas asks Chelsea if she wants to go down toward the bench and watch the sun rise from there. His friend is again on standby for photos. She looks out from the tent, "Nah, I can see it fine from here." Strike 4. Still in the tent, a ring box is shoved into Chelsea's hand. "Well?" Lucas demanded. "Well what?!" "Will you marry me?"