KYLE: While we had known each other for a few months at this time, we really got to know each other when I walked into Jacqui's classroom to find her viscously dismantling a collapsed igloo made of 400 milk cartons. In a space of pure disbelief and shock, I offered to help Jacqui rebuild her classroom igloo. What started as two friends working on a comically large plastic igloo in their free time at work turned into before school, after school, and even weekends. The rest is history! JACQUI: Kyle, who was better known as “Mr.D” at VanSchaick Grade School in Cohoes, strolls into my classroom and asks me a question related to a student. Now, I don’t remember what this question was but I do remember I was instantly offended. I thought to myself, “Did this intern really just ask me if I implemented these basic-ass strategies… Who the heck do you think I am… a newbie?”. After this exchange, I honestly didn’t pay much attention to Kyle. Then one day, I was tearing apart an igloo I was building in my classroom. As a perfectionist, this version would NOT do. As I am throwing milk jugs across the classroom, Kyle waltzes on in. I don’t remember the reason he came in but I do remember that he instantly offered to help rebuild the igloo with me. I told him I was coming in during the weekend and he did not hesitate for a second. Over the weekend, Kyle and I had our first of many conversations unrelated to students. We talked about music, musicals, my love for kids… this in between Kyle lying about his age! I was not looking for anything serious. I had big plans! Plans to move to South Carolina after the school year. But as we know, plans change. And they certainly did for us!

KYLE: Jacqui had always said that she wanted to be proposed to on a mountain, so once her custom ring was completed, I had to figure out a way to make that happen. It was a late weekend in August when Jacqui asked if we could go hiking. I thought, "this is it, we're doing it." The morning of the hike, I worked up the nerve to hide the ring in my pocket and get ready to hike. However, when I went downstairs.....Jacqui was "too tired" to hike. SOOOOO we waited another two weeks. On the day of the ACTUAL proposal hike, I attempted to hide the ring in the water sleeve of my backpack thinking, "NO ONE will look in there." Yet, like clockwork, I later found food for lunch stuffed there by Jacqui. Did she see it? Does she know? Should I not ask her if she's expecting it? These were the panicked thoughts of a tired and sweaty man whilst hiking up Mount Major in Alton, NH, the same mountain that was the site of their first hike we ever took together a few years before. To my surprise, I realized we were at the top much sooner than expected. After a panicked lunch, I brought Jacqui over to the same spot we took pictures on her first hike in NH years ago. Lucky, she said yes! I mean, the ring was a size too big and I immediately rolled my ankle after proposing....but she said Yes! JACQUI: The day started like any other. We were finally going on a hike! It had been a busy start to the school year and we were both looking forward to spending some time outside on a mountain! I spent the morning packing lunches and snacks for us. I even thought of bringing tortillas so we can make a wrap after we summit. Of course, Kyle has this awesome water sleeve pocket that will hold these perfectly! On the mountain, the weather is perfect! Sunny, blue skies with a slight breeze… still warm enough for my favorite tank top and shorts! After getting to the top of the mountain, Kyle wants to immediately take a picture but I am starving! So we find a nice private area to eat and I am wolfing down some chickpea and chicken salad. I am surprised that Kyle isn’t eating, but think “more for me!” After finishing lunch, I took my braid out so I can be picture-ready! Little did I know that this “picture” would change my life forever! Kyle set up his camera on the rock and declined an offer by an older gentleman to take our picture for us. We smiled for the camera, Kyle got on one knee, and I’m pretty sure I blacked out after this. I only remember what happened after watching the video footage from Kyle’s phone and random people that AirDropped them to me. I cried so many happy tears and then we FaceTimed my dad! When we got off the mountain, we bought ice cream and found a shop in town that sold engraved Mount Major wine glasses to celebrate our next big adventure!