Technically, we met in first grade, and some like to begin our story at the legendary Teddy Bear Tea. Our families knew each other even before that (Amanda's dad worked with Kevin's grandmother, who also had a granddaughter Amanda--Kevin's sister--and would always ask how baby Amanda K. was doing). Fast forward to senior year of high school, when we went to prom together: that could be another beginning of our story. But the beginning we like best took place on an August, 2012 canoe trip in the Boundary Waters, more than a million acres of wilderness, lakes, and forests that make up a stretch of Minnesota's border with Canada. After graduating from Macalester College in Minnesota, Amanda came home to Colorado for the summer, started hanging out with Kevin again, and invited him on the trip she and her friend Courtney were planning. Perhaps something about portaging heavy canoes, finding campsites in the dark, hammocking under the stars, or being off the grid together for a week laid the foundation for our relationship. Whatever it was, it worked--we not only came back to the Boundary Waters the following year, but also survived three years of long-distance, and haven't stopped adventuring since. Thank you for joining us on this next adventure--we are grateful to share it with you!

One of our favorite ways to adventure together is to ski in Colorado's mountains. In January, 2018, we were skiing at Steamboat with Amanda's brother, Payton. The snow wasn't great, but we managed to find some good powder in the Chutes--steep, expert terrain that also offers the best view of the valley below. Inspired by the view, Kevin started to plan an epic proposal. He suggested that we do a Chute run one more time, so we took the lift up again. Secretly, he had taken the ring out of its box in his pocket and held it inside his mitten on the tip of his finger so it would be ready in the middle of the run. Skiing a steep, rocky line through the trees can make it easy to go the wrong way and get separated (at least that's Amanda's excuse). Amanda and Payton ended up together, but too far from Kevin to meet up without taking another lift. Little did they know that he was waiting anxiously at the planned meeting (and proposal) spot, ring held precariously in his mitten, being extra careful not to fall and lose it in a yard sale. Third time's a charm: after two more lifts, we managed to stay together for a final run through the Chutes, and Payton stopped to take a picture as the late afternoon sun dipped behind the purple peaks around us. Amanda stuck her poles into the crunchy snow and smiled for the camera. Suddenly, she turned to see Kevin with one foot out of his binding, down on one knee. In her surprise and joy, she almost dropped a pole down the mountainside, but Kevin managed to save it and hold onto the ring, all while asking, "Amanda, will you marry me?" She said yes, and couldn't stop smiling all the way down the mountain.