Hannah and I first crossed paths on the enchanting and subtly romantic pool deck of Dynamo Swim Club in Atlanta, in the Fall of 2013. As highschool students and budding competitive swimmers, we became fast friends, and spent time with the same social circle, cementing the foundation of what neither of us suspected would be our lives' most cherished relationship. We kept in touch as we went to college on opposite sides of the country. Hannah studied and continued her swimming career at Emory, and I went to school in Colorado, at the Air Force Academy. For the majority of college, we were strictly platonic, although seeing and spending time with Hannah became the highlight of my holiday visits home. The idea of a romantic connection between the two of us began when I invited Hannah to Ring Dance (military prom.) Hannah fell in love with Colorado, and we had a taste of what we would be like as a couple. However, this relationship teaser was short-lived. Hannah was headed to South Africa, but I knew our paths would cross again. A year later, it was peak COVID and the world had changed. The call of the mountains (and undoubtedly her subconscious desire for me) had led Hannah back to Colorado, where we rekindled our relationship- that's when the story really begins!

As the sun set over Bar Harbor in Acadia National Park, the sky's blue and gold was reflected on the tranquil waters of Mt. Desert Narrows. Hannah and I sat enjoying appetizers at the water's edge, talking about plans for the next day, and soaking in the view. I realized the time would never be more right.