Six years prior to our engagement, in June of 2014, Colton and his two friends came to the rooftop patio at Reef in downtown Boise for dinner, where I was working as a Server. Flames abruptly lit, and I spent the evening telling all of my girlfriends/coworkers about the really cute guy at table 43. I served their table, the night went on, and I didn't think anything more of it. As they got up to leave, I was standing at the drinking fountain that faces the exit doors, and waved goodbye to them. As I walked up to the empty table, I noticed a little napkin with the name "Colton" on it, and a phone number. (Remember, there were THREE guys at this table...) I didn't know whose number it was! (Don't get me wrong, Colton's friends are strapping young men too, but the spark was unarguably with Colton). My girlfriend said to text the number and just see what happens, which was not a norm for me, but this time was different. So, I got a hold of him, and we maintained phone conversation for a few weeks. (I ended up discovering it was Colton after all :o)... July came around and so did Alive After 5 in downtown Boise. Colton and I casually texted to see what each other was up to with pictures. Colton sent me a picture of his friend and a dart board. About 20/30 minutes later, I sent him a picture of Alive After 5 with my friend. Within a minute he texted back and said "No way, I'm going tonight too!" And within about 40 seconds, as my friend and I walked down Grove Street, we go to make a right towards the restrooms, when I see him standing against the tree RIGHT OUTSIDE THE RESTROOM. He was already there! I walked upon him AS I WAS READING HIS TEXT!! I looked at him.. "Colton?!?!..." And darted into the bathroom with my friend, FREAKING OUT because "THAT'S HIM!!!!! WHAT DO I DO?!" ... "HANG OUT WITH HIM, YOU IDIOT!" she said… so I did. Needless to say, the rest is history! Haven't spent a day apart since. :)

Our favorite hobby is taking drives and hiking with our dog(s), especially in the foothills. We had recently hiked a new trail to the Adelmann Mine (right passed Lucky Peak, and 20 minutes from our new home!) and immediately decided it was our new absolute favorite. It's a bit strenuous, 4.7 mile hike, at an elevation gain of 1,322 feet (to those who made this trek for us and our special moment, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts). About a month later, Colton told me had a friend that he had met when he was pursuing photography who needed to take some professional photos for her portfolio, and that she'd never been to Adelmann, so we made the plan to do it! (Come to find out, they'd never actually met!)... we got almost to the mine when we met her and her husband, and began taking a few photos, she then told me to walk around the corner and onto the mine bridge while looking back at Colton as a pose. As we went to walk, Colton says "Hey Derrick" to his cousin (who drove from SLC to be there and drone the whole thing) across my shoulder, I look, and there he was. As I turn my head back the other way, I saw Brandon Pritchett (our good friend and amazing musician) standing at the entrance on the mine singing our song, "Nothing Can Change This Love" by Sam Cooke with a harmonica and guitar. Of course, I immediately lost it, knowing what was coming... I still get overwhelmed at how much thought, care, and perfection Colton put into it. It was the best day and moment ever, and I am the absolute luckiest.