They say love finds you when you least expect it, and our story is no exception. Our paths first crossed mere weeks before Hamilton was scheduled to move to London for work. Emma was half way through her doctoral program and eager for any excuse to escape for a hike. A visa delay gave us a few extra weeks together where we hiked, cooked, danced, and talked late into the night (okay 10pm) about our lives and dreams. Coming from very different environments–Hamilton grew up on a small farm in Kansas and moved to LA to make movies, while Emma grew up around the world and returned to LA to study climate justice–we were curious to learn more about each others’ views and inner worlds. Hamilton was instantly taken by Emma’s adventurous spirit, deep compassion, and adorable dog, Olive. Emma was charmed by Hamilton’s sincerity, passion for film, and perfectly cooked salmon (Olive was also a fan). Despite neither of us being excited about the prospect of an LDR (long distance relationship, for those fortunate enough not to know), we both felt that this was not a connection to pass up. We decided to keep talking and see where things went. Daily WhatsApp calls across the pond quickly solidified into flights back and forth to spend weeks together. We took trips to Scotland and France and met each other's families in Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and California. Demanding work schedules and an 8 hour time difference forced us to clearly communicate our needs and wants and support each other from afar. These challenges also showed us that we can work through anything together. At the end of the first year, over a picnic in one of Hamilton’s favorite parks outside of London, Emma asked him to marry her. Hamilton said “Absolutely, yes!” Nine months later, on the same mountain ridge where they first met, with the sun rising over LA, Hamilton asked Emma to marry him. She said “Yes, absolutely!” Intentions set, we enthusiastically began planning Hamilton’s move back to LA, Emma's move-in, and our wedding! We are so excited to be starting this next chapter and we can’t wait to celebrate with each of you in August! (Co-written by Emma and Hamilton as they pack up his flat in London and prepare for a week-long hiking adventure in Europe with Emma's mom, Christiane!)