We were set up by our best man, Sam Parnell! My roommates and I were hosting a tailgate party at our house on Ada Street near the University of Cincinnati. Logan almost didn't show up because he had to take an exam and couldn't find parking (typical Clifton problem). When Logan finally arrived, Sam, Logan, and I all played Just Dance. Much to my chagrin, Logan dominated and won every single round. Afterward, we bonded over our favorite TV shows. Unfortunately, Logan forgot to ask for my number, so I had to track him down and message him via Instagram the next day. We went on our first date the following week and got free Pieology from a kind cashier. The rest is history! P.S. To this day, Logan beats me 90% of the time we play Just Dance or Mario Kart together.

In May of 2022, we embarked on a trip to Asheville, North Carolina. May 21st, 2022, proved to be an exceptionally rainy day. In the afternoon, we had our hearts set on hiking the Black Balsam Knob trail. Although we adored hiking in the Blue Ridge mountains, we quickly noticed that the trail markings were not as prominent as we were accustomed to seeing at places like Red River Gorge, Hocking Hills, and National Parks. Naturally, we initially set off on the wrong trail. It took us about 30 minutes of hiking to realize that we had mistakenly ventured onto the Sam Knob trail instead of the Black Balsam Knob trail. As we retraced our steps back to the car, the rain intensified. Logan had been carrying a drawstring bag to hold our rain jackets during breaks from the rain. Passing the car to find the correct trailhead, I suggested to Logan that he might want to put the bag away since we were now wearing our raincoats. "No, I'll keep the drawstring bag with me," he answered, his tone tinged with nervousness ;) Undeterred, we resumed hiking toward what we believed to be the Black Balsam Knob trail. After approximately 30 minutes of walking on a gravel road, doubts began to creep in. Nevertheless, we stumbled upon an overgrown, narrow trail that veered off into the woods. Opting to explore further rather than turn back, we embraced the uncertainty. The trail we found had us maneuvering under leaves, walking between patches of tall grass, etc. Suddenly, we emerged into a clearing, greeted by the sight of a grand, towering mountain that beckoned us to its summit. The path upward was rugged, with us constantly navigating uneven terrain, stepping up 2 feet and then down 3 feet, until we finally reached the summit approximately 45 minutes later. Upon reaching the top, Logan and I encountered another couple, prompting him to jest, "Why are there so many people up here?" despite there being only two others present. Thankfully, the vastness of the summit offered ample space for everyone. Finding a spot overlooking the mountain's edge, we were greeted by a breathtaking vista. Though the rain had ceased, the shifting clouds dancing across neighboring peaks added to the enchanting scene. Finally, the contents of the drawstring bag were revealed—the most beautiful, thoughtful engagement ring that Logan could have sought out. With heartfelt words, he asked me to spend the rest of my life with him, and I joyfully accepted. Ending the story on a humorous note, the other couple happened to pass by right after the proposal. We asked them if they would take our picture; at first, they seemed a tad annoyed that we were interrupting their hike. However, upon seeing the ring, their faces lit up, and they eagerly snapped numerous lovely pictures for us to help capture the moment. So it turns out, having company on the mountain was a good thing after all :). Since I've known Logan, we've realized that things always work out as long as we're together. He has helped me adopt a more relaxed approach to life and has made me realize that just because something doesn't match my exact expectations, it doesn't make it any less perfect. Our engagement story is a true testament to our relationship in that way—we may not have found the correct trail, but we discovered the gorgeous summit of Tennent Mountain by taking a chance and following the mysterious trail through the woods. Here's to many more unknowns, adventures, trials, etc.—I look forward to seeing how we navigate those and how we find the unexpected beauty at the end of them too.