In the Summer of 2010, Mark and Laine found themselves both working at Coast Seafood restaurant in Charleston, SC. There was an instant connection between them but the stars wouldn't align for a few more months, and so they developed a friendship first. Mark moved to Texas after that summer but came back to visit for Laine's birthday a few weeks later. Realizing their feelings were more than just platonic, Mark kissed Laine for the first time on that trip. After that, Mark couldn't imagine leaving again. So without even going back to Texas to pack his things, he immediately found an apartment in Charleston to stay. Eight years, two dogs, and a cross country move later, they are thrilled to finally be tying the knot!

Mark and Laine moved to Colorado in the Fall of 2017 in search of adventure with a hunger for the great outdoors. They chose the Heart of the Rockies as their first camping trip in the Wild West. It was a hot June day and the two were unaccustomed to elevated desert hikes. Halfway through their 8 mile hike, they reached the peak, completely out of water, their dogs exhausted. Laine found a small patch of shade and settled the pups to rest. Meanwhile, Mark was scouting out the perfect spot to pop the question. After some embellished promises of a strong breeze on the overlook Mark had found, Laine agreed to leave the respite of the shade to join him. With much nervous pacing and hands in pockets, Mark broke the silence with a simple fact, "Well, I really love you." He took a knee and recapped their eight years together: their trials and triumphs, summiting mountains together both physically and emotionally, and always finding a way to hike or ski safely down the other side. Their life had been an adventure so far and Mark declared it was not only his favorite adventure, but the only one he wanted for the rest of his days. After this tear filled declaration there was a long pause, and then a realization that he had forgotten to actually 'propose' any question. "Oh," Mark said, "And will you marry me?" Laine gleefully agreed, and it didn't matter that her hands were so swollen from the hike that the ring barely fit. It didn't matter that they still had 4 miles to get back to camp, no water, and a pup that would need to be carried down the mountain. What mattered, was these two agreed to a life long adventure together that they would cheerfully toast to with bubbly back at camp.