Joey moved to Denver in September 2016 to immerse himself in the mountains and live out his outdoorsy dreams. In order to actualize this dream, he also had to get a job (I know… buzz kill). He got a job at the Mental Health Center of Denver, where his future wife Hayley had worked since June of the same year. The two happened to not only work on the same team of case managers but lived in the same neighborhood. They became quick friends and for several months navigated the “are we just friends or are we flirting?” situation. They were flirting.

Joey and Hayley didn’t waste any time starting a [fur] family — they adopted their beloved cattle dog, Summit, before they even had a bed for themselves moved into their first apartment together.

A search for something more “homey” with a backyard for Summit led the crew to a duplex in Congress Park. Summit not only got a yard, but a new yard-mate and best friend — Maverick the golden retriever. Unfortunately, Maverick and their owners moved away at the end of 2020, and Summit literally became depressed without someone to play with every day! ENTER: HENRY -- a high needs, 90-pound, overly anxious and attached Great Pyrenees & German Shepherd mix. Summit quickly became a happier, more cuddly, sillier dog than ever before, and although getting Henry adjusted has been challenging to say the least (a story for another time), he is now a fundamental part of our family and brings endless love and joy to our home.

Hayley had once made a joke that Joey would have to propose on a holiday because if he planned a secret romantic date or special trip she would immediately know what he was up to. He planned a weekend getaway in February 2021 to celebrate Hayley’s birthday. The excitement built inside each of them in the month leading up to this “birthday” trip — Joey and many loved ones knew what he had planned, and Hayley waited in suspense to see if her suspicions were true! On Friday, February 26th, Joey drove the two of them to Estes Park. He parked downtown EP for a “dinner reservation”, and then he immediately began acting strange… he couldn’t manage to find the restaurant, and wandered around aimlessly until “happening” upon a romantically lit walkway where he slowed them to a stop. He said he had a very important question to ask. He got down on one knee, and said “Will you be with me forever?” Hayley nodded with tears in her eyes and stuck her hand out (ready for that ring)! “Of course!”, she said.