Like a lot of couples, we met through the workplace. But this story is not about that. Our first date, should not surprise most of you. We met to take a hike, just a short distance from where we are going to celebrate our love together with you, our family and friends. On a sticky hot day just after the 4th of July we met up at Squires Castle to take a walk. Alex was looking for mushrooms as usual and Monica was wondering who this nerdy sweaty guy was she decided to walk with. Well we hit it off and conversation was easy, we enjoyed the beautiful day despite the heat. Fast forward a couple of months, we decide to go on a backpacking trip together. We both knew this would either make or break our relationship, a moment of truth so to speak. So in October we packed up the car and headed south to Shenandoah National Forest for 4 days and three nights of wilderness hiking. On the first day of the hike Alex was stumbling down the trail, and Monica was growing concerned. Turns out by the end of the first day it was clear Alex had the flu. Not wanting to ruin the trip Alex pushed on and we continued our hike. By the end of the trip Monica caught pink eye. We saw a young bear, hiked many miles and saw incredible views of the Shenandoah valley. Needless to say we were both pretty messed up by the time we finished our 4 day adventure of hiking in the beautiful Virginia wilderness. We topped this all off with a stay in a treehouse (this was not the type of treehouse you see on Treehouse Masters) on a farm in Asheville, NC which ended up cold and rainy. Showering outside after backpacking isn't most folks idea of a good time but it just made for more great memories. We managed to have a great time and create amazing memories which only solidified our love for one another. Since that trip we have enjoyed camping, backpacking, and outdoor adventures as often as we can. We were visiting friends on Folly Beach, SC. While collecting shells on the beach Alex got down on one knee and proposed with a ring that he made out of a palm frond. He had special ordered a beautiful ring in the design of forget me not flowers but it had not arrived by the time we went on vacation and he still wanted to propose. The palm frond was a beautiful handmade ring and Monica still has it in her jewelry box.