Our next adventure!

At the time, it seemed unconventional but Mike and Jenn met online on a website called Plenty of Fish (POF). After messaging on POF, texting, and calling for a few weeks or so, Mike asked Jenn on a date. On a lovely, brisk, sunny Fall Saturday Farmer's Market in September 2012, Jenn walked up to the Dawson's Coffee Shop on 8th Street. She clearly remembers seeing Mike in his blue plaid button shirt sitting outside the coffee shop waiting. She walks up to him and says "Hey, Mike?" and the rest is history as they say. They get a cup of Joe at Dawson's before walking around the Farmer's Market. After walking all of the Farmer's Market, Mike didn't seem to want to end the date yet so he brings up getting a bite to eat at Blue Sky Bagels. (Side note: Jenn remembers Mike already talking about Moscow and how it had the best Bagel shop.) They both enjoyed each other's company. After a few hours of hanging out on a lovely fall morning that turned to afternoon, they said their goodbyes. However, little did Jennifer know that she would be asked out by Mike on another date that very same day. Jennifer got to meet Mike's friends downtown for some drinks and dancing. The DTR (Determining The Relationship) occurred about a month later on October 27th, 2012. Mike and Jenn have always loved the season of Fall. However, the Fall season became just as special as it was the season that Mike and Jenn fell in love with one another. Now, they will be married in the Fall! They are both glad that they were able to find the right fish in the plenty of fishes in the sea.

Before the proposal weekend, Mike made a long distance call to Jenn's parents in Saipan to get their blessing. Jenn's parents were happy about Mike asking and gave him their blessing. Once Mike began planning the proposal, he had help from his mom, Julie, and Jenn's sister, Cindy. Mike wished that his dad could have been a part of the planning. What Jenn had initially thought to be a little getaway for Mike's birthday ended up being Mike proposing to her. Jenn thought Mike was up to something fishy since he wouldnt mention where exactly in Hagerman they would be staying. Upon arriving to Billingsley Creek in Hagerman, they checked into their cabin before wandering the grounds, played some games, and just enjoyed each other's company. The next morning they went on a hike to Box Springs canyons to see a waterfall and clear blue springs. Mike and Jenn both love the outdoors and hiking and this was a perfect day spent together. This was followed by some time spent at Miracle hot springs before dinner at the Snake River Grill. Upon getting back to their cabin, Mike brought up going for a little walk so they headed towards this little bridge and island in the middle of the creek. As Mike and Jenn made their way over, Jenn noticed there were lights- mini tea light candles that lined the walkway bridge on each side as well as lights on a white bench facing the creek. As they made their way over the bridge, Mike turned to Jenn and expressed how much she meant to him and then got down on one knee and proposed! While Jenn was still in a bit of shock, of course, she said, "Yes!" Jenn wanted to slow the moment down and everything seemed to be happening so quickly that Mike had to ask for her hand to put on the ring. Even then, Jenn didn't pay attention to the ring since she was so caught up in embracing Mike. Mike had to ask her what she thought of the ring before she even took a look at it. For Jenn, nothing else (even the ring) mattered in that moment, except for Mike.

Coming from two very different backgrounds in life, could a born and raised gent from Boise, Idaho with Highlander roots get along with a lady from a small island in the Pacific that not many people have heard about? YES, very much so! Jenn taught Mike about Saipan and where it is located on a map. Mike taught Jenn about a special place called Moscow, Idaho and his family of University of Idaho Vandals. The list went on. Mike shared childhood stories of his family trips to Sun Valley and the Oregon Coast. Jenn shared her childhood stories of strolling the entire island on Sunday afternoons. Mike discovered he liked sushi. Jenn learned about the infamous Scotch Summit Toast. Jenn admired Mike's persistence and caring nature. Mike admired Jenn's hard-working attitude. Together, they share many common interests and values in life. Their love for traveling has taken them to some pretty cool places and memorable experiences. They've swam with stingrays in the Bahamas, parasailed the clear waters of Saipan, and walked the Golden Gate Bridge, just to name a few. About four years ago, they started their home in a quaint apartment on the Bench just above the Americana hill from the parks. On September 2017, they moved to a home that they can now call their own. Mike and Jenn love the outdoors and like hiking or riding bikes in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter. They like trying new and different things from Mike training for a half marathon and Jenn riding her bike next to him cheering him on, camping at the gorgeous Redfish Lake, or trying to navigate out of an Escape room. They are also perfectly happy with each other's company staying home watching action and thriller movies. Mike and Jenn also can't help but be goofy and silly when they're together. We could not be more excited to celebrate the next step in our journey with each of you, who have played (and will continue to play) such an important part in our adventure!