In late 2016, Susannah was driving cross country, and her mind was blown away as she listened to inspiring audiobooks about relationships and attachment theory. She returned to Asheville with this enlightening insight and an inner vow to date differently in her late 30s. A few weeks after returning, Susannah found herself volunteering at a bicycle race that Ian was competing in that day. As Ian likes to tell it, "I typically don't notice anything outside of the track when I'm racing, but I saw this girl...and her smile was like sunshine." Before Susannah left that day, Ian caught her in time to ask..."Bike?" "Excuse me?" Susannah said. "Would you like to go bike with me sometime," he clarified...and gladly, Susannah obliged. The next couple of months they dated...slowly, respectfully, sweetly, and sincerely, but it just wasn't time. Instead of saying goodbye, they just said "strawberries" which they both knew was a way of saying, "I love you." Susannah checked in about once a year for the next few years, but the loyal Ian kept it kind, respectful, and brief (i.e. not available). But still, the Universe persisted for them until the time was right... At the beginning of 2020, friends from above must have been working on their behalf because Ian and Susannah kept crossing the other's paths. It took Ian only about 5 times of bumping into Susannah for him to ask her out again. On April 27th, 2020 Ian and Susannah made a date! She remembers loading up her bike that day and driving her van to Bent Creek trailhead praying to feel grounded for this date because she was so excited (and also remembering "what will be...will be.") Their first 2nd date was almost a recreation of their first 1st date...they road up to Ingles Field in Bent Creek and down the trail to sit by the lake around sunset. That second 1st date interrupted all other dating activity for Susannah. Ian had to quickly admit that even though he wanted to enjoy being a bachelor, he knew that he couldn't pass this up a second time. The aftermath of that decision was deep, respectful, soulful love. It may not always appear sparkly on the outside, but the day in and day out is certainly sparkly on the inside. The time since has been full of love, laughter, and healing. It's been lessons in commitment, acceptance, receiving, giving, supporting, nurturing, and softening. It's just that rare kind of love that you know you just never want to let go. Now, Ian and Susannah are prepping for their new path as newlyweds on the road of a lifelong partnership. They are looking forward to their closest friends and family being there to mark this occasion in support of their commitment to one another.