Adam and I are both in the same Master's degree program at Western Colorado University. We met initially in a class meeting before the semester started and he had just moved to Gunnison. We kicked it off just chatting in classes, then the night before his birthday a group of us all went out together. That night we clicked on such a mental and emotional level, saying the same things at the same time and having so much fun together! I never thought it was possible to have such an intense and immediate connection with someone. We were interested in the same things, and could go deep into conversation for hours without getting bored! It felt as if we had known each other our entire lives. Even though neither of us had been looking for any sort of relationship at that time, we found each other. We quickly started dating, and fell in love not long after. It was one of those things that comes when you aren't expecting it, you know? God knew the perfect time for us to meet and it happened when least expecting!

If you know me at all, you know I like to plan everything to the last detail and always be in charge of things (it can be both a blessing and a curse). Initially I wanted to propose to Adam, but after some conversations I knew I should let him propose to me and I should just stay in the dark because some things really are better that way. Adam and I had wanted to hike a 14er together this summer, and after a cancelled hiking trip from my getting sick, we finally found a weekend to go! We decided on Mount Yale-- one of the collegiate peaks near Buena Vista, CO and under 2 hours away from Gunnison. That week he had purchased a tripod, and I had a feeling this proposal was coming up soon, but I wasn't entirely sure. I tried to get information out of him, but he wouldn't give anything up! We car camped at the base of the mountain the night before, then hit the trail early. It was a perfect day, cool crisp air, and bright sun shining. It was 4000 ft elevation gain from base to the top, and we had to gain about half of that elevation in only a mile or so to the top! It was tough to say the least, but we finally made it! I relaxed at the top, we drank water, and enjoyed the breath-taking views. There were about 20 or so other people up at the top too. We set up the tripod to take pictures, then Adam went to check the angle and make sure it was good. "These look great! Lets take just a few more" I said "Okay!", then almost immediately saw the square-shaped lump in his pocket.... "What should we do?" I asked. As Adam comes back alongside me, his only response was, "Well, I have an idea", as he then proceeds to get down on one knee, "you could marry me". I immediately start laughing and am filled with excitement as everyone at the top of the peak starts cheering loudly. I take the ring, hug him so very tightly, then start bawling my eyes out! I guess Adam had all these things planned to say to me and was thinking in his head all the way to the top; then in the moment, everything goes out the window and a sweet and sassy "you could marry me" comment is the only thing that comes out of his mouth (we laughed SO hard!!). It was so perfectly imperfect. To be vulnerable at the top of 14,000 ft, tired, and with the love of my life. We wouldn't have had it any other way. We popped a small bottle of champagne at the top that Adam had brought, and received endless amounts of congratulations from thrilled strangers. The trek down was fun and hard-- a total round trip of 10.5 miles. We were exhilarated and exhausted by the time we got to the car. We hiked up as boyfriend/girlfriend, and hiked down as fiancés! Finishing an adventure just to begin an even more spectacular one!