Lauren and Erland met in 2016 in Denver at Avanti, one of those hip shipping container restaurants. They're still trying to remember the exact date but one of their mutual friends invited them both and they quickly became friends. They found out they went to the same church, had both worked for the same organization abroad (Erland in Uganda, Lauren in India), and of course, shared a passion for getting outside in the mountains. However, if you live in Colorado that doesn't come as a surprise as it really is a prerequisite to becoming a Denverite. They exchanged contact info and met up here and there over the next three years. They went on a couple of ski trips to Steamboat Springs, climbed some mountains, and always had a blast being around one another. In the summer of 2019, they both started reaching out to one another more frequently and it was about time to see if this could be something more. One day after work they went for a mountain bike ride together and finished the night with some po'boys. Erland asked Lauren to dinner, like on a date, the following week and it's been the sweetest history ever since.

to set out for a mountain adventure of skinning* up Loveland Ski Resort. Erland picked Lauren up and with homemade breakfast tacos, we were off. We were really hoping for a lovely sunrise but the day before was an overcast day so we settled on being happy to be outside, together, in the mountains. About half way up we flipped around and saw a pastel sunrise across the valley. It was awesome and made the early morning worth every minute of lost sleep. Little did Lauren know there was an even bigger surprise at the top. We made our way, huffing, puffing and trying hard ;) until we came upon the lodge up on top of Loveland. Erland was checking out all the fresh fluffy snow and right there in his skis, boots and a big ol grin got down on one knee and asked Lauren to marry him. She, of course, said YES! We then celebrated with champagne and selfies, and later got to put our skis on to enjoy the ride down. Worth the extra early morning indeed! *Skinning is where your skis have a magic carpet-like material attached to the bottom and allow you to walk up a mountain.