WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

We met March 3, 2012 at a mutual friend's backyard party in Atlanta. Sam sat down next to me at the bonfire (back then I thought I'd never seen someone so tall!), and we started talking about travel, kayaking, and adventures. A few hours later and we were the only people still sitting by the fire, Sam in his orange polo and me in my fuzzy vest. Before I left, Sam slyly asked me for my number (under the guise that he was going to teach me how to kayak.) And that was that. Botta bing botta boom. ....and he did teach me how to kayak.

Sam proposed mid-hike at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park with my immediate family present. All 5 of us were hiking while trying to solve each other's riddles (for those that don't know, I am obsessed with riddles and love to try and solve them while hiking). Sam's riddle, which we later found out he had come up with on the spot, was perfectly timed and ended with him on one knee, a confident YES, and the happiest woman on earth. We celebrated with extended family, champagne and music at our cabin in West Yellowstone that night! Let's see if you can answer Sam's riddle: What's Too Hard to Bite Takes Much Might Glimmers in the Light And Is Presented When the Time's Right

We moved out to Colorado in summer of 2013, Kate for grad school and Sam for a new job. We quickly discovered the endless potential for outdoor adventure and exploration - as well as the potential for unique job opportunities and lasting friendships. We met amazing people, some as roommates, some as coworkers, some in the DMV line, who over the years have become incredible friends. Colorado has served as the perfect hub for our love of the outdoors. We've skied in waist-deep powder, backpacked countless trails, mountain biked through Crested Butte, snowshoed to backcountry huts, camped in the desert, and even tried our hand at skate skiing. Some of our most notable memories with friends include dressing up for Halloween each year and parading down Pearl Street, partaking in multiple pre-game sake bombs and shenanigans before bar-hopping from "Yellow House," and some pretty phenomenal ski and hot tub parties in the mountains. Somewhere along the way, Colorado transitioned from a "fun short-term adventure" to our new home. Most recently we've added a new fur baby to our little adventure squad, a golden retriever named Bryce (named after Bryce Canyon National Park...and one of our favorite authors, Bill Bryson). He fits seamlessly into our lifestyle and is the cutest little nugget of all time. We can't wait for you to meet him if you haven't already. AND...on July 20 we will be closing on a new home in Louisville, Colorado! We are beyond excited to begin married life in a new space (and little B is psyched about the backyard). We would absolutely love to host you in our new home, so don't be shy about visiting!

We'll be tying the knot officially on August 28 in a beautiful, remote area of the Colorado Rocky Mountains...in true Kate & Sam style.