We’re getting married!

For our five-year anniversary, Josh and I decided to return to Baker Lake for a camping trip. A few years earlier, we had spent an anniversary there with no cell service, no distractions, and nowhere to be. It became our favorite anniversary together. Josh napped in a hammock, I spent my days wandering through the forest, and for the first time, we were able to simply be present with one another. It was peaceful, simple, and exactly what we needed. We loved it so much that we decided to do it again. The day before our actual anniversary, Josh suggested we take a drive up to the Baker River and spend some time by the water. We sat along the riverbank enjoying the quiet when he suddenly became a little restless. Knowing how much I love searching for interesting rocks, he looked over at me and said, “Don’t you like rocks? You should go look for some rocks.” At that moment, I became very suspicious. I had been convinced he would propose the next day during our planned anniversary hike, but the way he was encouraging me to go look for rocks made me realize something was happening now. After a few moments, I finally stood up, picked up a rock, and tossed it aside. That was all the opportunity he needed—he didn’t waste a second. When I turned around, Josh was already down on one knee. I was so overwhelmed with joy that all I could do was laugh hysterically. I grabbed his head so enthusiastically I nearly squeezed it off while he nervously asked me to marry him. Seeing how happy, excited, and shaky he was made the moment even more special. There was no audience, no photographer, and no cell service—just the two of us in one of our favorite places, completely present with each other. On the drive back, hearing all the details about how he had planned everything became one of my favorite memories from the day. But my favorite part was seeing how nervous and happy Josh was. Well… that, and the fact that our engagement story begins with him telling me to go look for some rocks.

Josh and I met through a mutual friend group, thanks to our best friends, who eventually married each other. We had known each other for about a year and a half before we started dating, and for much of that time, neither of us was interested in anything beyond friendship. We spent time together in the same circles, creating memories alongside the same people and simply enjoying each other’s company. Over time, though, a spark quietly began to grow. One rainy spring day, we both realized the feelings were mutual, and from that moment on, we’ve been pretty much inseparable. Over the past five years, we’ve built a life side by side. We’ve moved more times than we can easily count—from separate apartments, to sharing a home, to living with family, to roommates, to a little cabin in the woods, and finally to the home we share today. Through every move, challenge, and season of life, we’ve continued choosing each other. We’ve experienced career changes, family milestones, difficult moments, and incredible growth. One of the greatest gifts of our relationship has been watching each other become more fully ourselves. I’ve watched Josh grow into a strong, thoughtful, and dependable man, and he continually makes me feel loved, supported, and beautiful exactly as I am. We balance each other in ways that feel natural. Josh pays attention to details I might overlook, while I tend to juggle a hundred things at once. As we’ve grown together, we’ve helped one another experience new parts of life. My family introduced him to things like fishing, camping, and the joyful chaos that comes with having lots of people gathered together. In return, he’s taught me how to slow down, stay grounded, think things through, and focus on what truly matters. More than anything, these past five years have shown us that a strong relationship isn’t built in a single moment. It’s built through everyday choices, shared adventures, hard conversations, laughter, growth, and showing up for each other again and again. We’re so grateful for the journey that brought us here, and we’re even more excited for the one that’s still ahead.