We both attended a show at a local brewery supporting our friend's band. Ironically, we were each friends with a different member of the band. After the show, we were invited back to a band member's house to listen to them play an extra set. When we were introduced to each other (thanks Clair!), we instantly hit it off. We also learned we had a shared love of dogs - Molly missed hers back "home" and Neil was living the horrors...uh ~blessings~...of having a 6 month old german shepherd. Molly just HAD to meet this dog. We arranged a time for Molly to walk Tilley, while Neil ran around the lake. However, when it came time to pass off Tilley, Neil never did end up running but instead decided to walk with the two. The rest is history!! Fun Fact: Neil gave Molly his number so she had to make the first move.

We were on a trip to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. We had several hikes planned, the first day being favored. The park requires timed entry passes that, once released, are gone within minutes. We practiced on earlier dates several times and had no issues. Cut to night before...due to limited internet connection, we were booted off the site. There was, however, one caveat - you may enter the park before 5am without a permit. (If you know Molly, you know she is NOT a morning person.) Originally that idea was immediately shot down, Molly saw that Neil was devastated and agreed to go on one condition - watch the sunrise over a beautiful mountain lake. It was stunning, and we even saw 3 moose up close wading in the lake! We started our 9.5 mile hike and stopped at the half way point for lunch at Mills Lake. There was "the perfect spot" on a large rock that juts out into the lake with a view of the surrounding mountains. Except that "perfect spot" quickly became less perfect when a family joined, that proved to be less than stellar company. So we decided to move to a different rock - and found a spot that was even better! Molly was still oblivious at this point. That was until it came time for a quick snap of a picture... Neil was working especially hard to find a spot to set up his phone to use his smart watch to grab the photo. Picture this: he jabbed a hiking pole into the ground and balanced his phone in the wrist loop. After a couple ~subtle~ outfit change recommendations, we were ready to take the picture! (Molly definitely saw it coming at this point...) "Molly Gallagher, will you marry me?"... A couple of yeses later, we were engaged! But wait, there's more! Neil checks his phone for the video, Molly asks "Did you get it?". "...The video didn't record. Give it back we are doing it again, no one will ever have to know!" Fun Fact: Molly got two proposals that day and loved them both equally.