We're Getting Married!

If you know us as a couple... you probably know about the wild way we met. Stars had to align for this one, so buckle up! Finally getting this down in writing after 6 years... (Written from Chloe's perspective) In 2018, I left my home state of Alaska to pursue schooling in Aesthetics and Cosmetic Laser. I packed up my bags, said goodbye to my best friends and family, and said, "See ya in 10 months!" I left with a one-way ticket to Tempe, Arizona, ready to spread my wings. After about a week of settling into my new home, my roommate Kai Christianson was doing what every single gal does when she's bored... scroll through dating apps! As she was scrolling, she came across a man that caught her eye named Scott Sommers (stick with me here; I promise this will all make sense). Kai and Scott chatted via the dating app, and Scott had some snazzy way of keeping her intrigued in their back-and-forth texts—something along the lines of, "If you're ever in Mammoth Lakes, California, I'd love to show you a good time!" As it happened, Scott and Mark were on a layover in the Phoenix airport while they were on their way to Puerto Rico. Oddly enough, about two weeks later, Kai and I had a planned road trip through Redding, California, back to Phoenix for the long weekend. Before we started our adventure, she asked if I'd be interested in swinging through Mammoth Lakes so she could meet up with this guy she matched with on Bumble. I said, "Heck, why not! I’d love to be your wing-woman. I mean, what if this guy could be your husband?!" As we got about an hour away from Mammoth Lakes, Scott relayed the message that we would be CAMPING that night, and that he was having a "college guys' weekend" with his best friends. So, we pulled into the closest clothing outlet, and these Arizona girls bought a sweater and pair of pants to go meet these STRANGERS at a campsite. About five minutes from the campsite—boom—we lost cell service. I know what you're thinking... this sounds exactly like the murder podcasts you listen to. But we trusted our gut and hoped this Scott guy was worth meeting. When we pulled up to the campsite, there were six loud, wild, incredibly kind guys sitting around a campfire. This Alaskan girl felt right in her element. Throughout the night, there was one guy who kept making funny jokes with me, talking trash, challenging me to work for the spotlight, and playing the guitar with a rather scratchy and silly voice. That guy’s name? Mark Cooley. As the night went on, Mark asked, "Where are you sleeping tonight?" I mentioned that I shockingly hadn't planned on camping, so I was just going to make do and sleep in one of the camp chairs. Within moments, that silly little outdoor gentleman gave up his sleeping pad for this stranger he'd just met. (I say "sleeping pad" and no tent, because if you know Mark, you know he’d much rather sleep under the stars, in the dirt.) Not only did he give me the sleeping pad, but he also gave me his Patagonia puffy. What a guy! After that weekend, I felt like I was dreaming. This guy I never expected to meet filled my heart in a way no one else ever had. We both went back to our normal lives after that weekend. The only difference? We texted and Face Timed nonstop. About two weeks later, Mark decided to fly me out to Reno to spend more time together. (If he was going to kill me, he totally would have done it in the woods, right?!) All jokes aside, for the remainder of my 10 months of schooling, we flew back and forth nearly every month to spend time together. When I finished school, I moved to Reno, NV, to live with Mark and two of his—and now my—best friends. Since then, Mark and I lived in Durango, Colorado for 2 years and now Redmond, Oregon for the last 2.5 years. We are in the midst of building a house, have added another pup to the family, and continue to adventure our way through life together. We are so excited to enter this next chapter with each of you by our sides!