We both attended Carroll College and although we are not sure of the exact day we met, we think that it was sometime in the fall of 2013 through our mutual friends. We became close friends, often giving each other advice in Megan's student government office. Even as our lives took us in different directions, Megan to Boston and Tucson for grad school and AmeriCorps, and Jake to Kalispell for work in a PT clinic, we stayed in touch, always only a phone call or text away if we needed advice or support. We started talking more in the fall of 2017 and we planned to see each other when Megan moved back to Montana that winter.

We were both skiing with our families at Bridger Bowl in early January 2018 and planned to meet up on the ski hill. We never caught up with each other while skiing but as Megan's family was packing up for the day Jake drove by with his brother and sisters. We were both very excited to see each other and planned to spend the next day together back in Bozeman. Our first date, or as Megan calls it, "The Never Ending Date" included: ice skating, drinks at MAP Brewery, dinner at The Red Chair, soaking at Norris Hot Springs, and a movie.

In October of 2019, I had a fall break from PA school so I was able to travel home to Montana to visit family and attend my cousin's wedding. As far as I knew, Jake had a "test" that Friday so he was unable to come home with me. On Thursday, October 10th, I was hanging out with my parents at their cabin. Around noon, my mom told me that she was "so sorry she couldn't be around, but she had to head into Helena for her volunteer work." Clueless me said "No problem! I'll just hang out with Dad." Later that afternoon, my Dad and I went into Lincoln for a bite to eat. When we got back to the cabin, there was a small basket, lantern, and note on the counter from Jake. I was still fairly clueless as I was so sure that Jake couldn't be home in Montana because I knew he had a "test" back in Colorado. I set out on the loop at the cabin with my lantern and basket. Several yards away on the road down to the ponds, I found the first letter. It then became clear what was happening. Jake, with the help of his parents and younger sister Abby, had set up a path of lanterns and letters around the property. The letters were from many family members with words of encouragement and congratulations. At the end of the trail, Jake was waiting under lights and surrounded by photographs of us. He got down on one knee and all I remember saying is "yes, yes, yes!" Jake absolutely surprised me that night. With the help of our parents and his sister, he was able to pull off an amazing and unforgettable engagement.

This story begins in March ‘19 when I asked my brother for proposal advice to which he said, “It has to be epic because it’s one of the best chances you’ll have to surprise her.” The planning began, but nothing felt “right” until Megan desperately wanted me to attend a wedding in MT with her. It took a while, but I finally settled on an idea- a walk around the loop at the cabin scattered with letters from family offering her happy wishes in what was to happen, and me at the end on one knee. Two weeks before “the day”, I received a call saying that before a wedding may not be the best date. A few calls to cancel my flight and purchase a new one and a few more to my program begging to take my test early, the date was set again. The day finally arrived, as did the classic October snow in Denver. I survived my test, got to the airport, and to my gate when Char texted, “so did you switch your flight?” Yes, I learned my flight was canceled through a text while sitting at my gate. Thankfully I found two new flights and demanded to be on both; so yes, I have THREE boarding passes from that day. In the fleeting moments as I was taking off, I called my mom, who was supposed to pick me up from the airport and pleaded for her to call Char and figure out a ride for me. I had a 2hr flight ahead of me and no guarantee of a ride. My parents headed straight to the cabin whereas Char inconspicuously left to get me. My parents arrived at the cabin minutes before Char and I and began setting up. I placed a basket and letter on the counter and rushed out to set up the lanterns and letters on the loop. I decided to have my little sister drive with her due to the fact that it was -10°, the sun had set, there were 10” of snow, and a bear had been spotted that day. We hung the last pictures as she came strolling down the driveway. Tears in her eyes she fell into my arms. As I got down on one knee, I didn’t even have a chance to speak before she said “Yes, yes, yes.”