It’s 2019. You’re showing up for your first camping trip as a Fort Wilderness staff member. You notice your stomach growling a little bit. It’s time for pita pizzas. Little do you know the cute girl with braces who was handing out pepperonis would soon be your wife 7 years later! This is our story. Upon meeting on this warm summer day at Jackals Lair, we shared a summer of friendship and dancing and singing during days off spent together in community at Fort. After many summers spent growing a friendship (2019-2024 to be exact), we stayed in touch throughout the school years despite Natalie being in Georgia and Zachary being in Indiana. Unbeknownst to each other, we both had been thinking and praying about applying for the TruNorth RA position offered at Fort Wilderness following our college years. We both got hired in the spring of 2024, and started working together in Fall 2024. Throughout this 9 month gap-year program, we had the opportunity to live in community with nine 18-20 year olds while discipling them, cooking with them, going to class with them, and playing lots and lots of games. There were conflicts that arose, but we were quickly able to communicate and work through conflict efficiently and productively. We just worked really well together! It wasn’t until after TruNorth ended in May that we realized, maybe this could work outside of camp! We started dating on June 5th (Nat’s birthday!) and continued our relationship over distance last summer, until Natalie made the move to Indiana in late September. We got engaged in Kauai, Hawaii on March 31st 2026! It was surprising and beautiful and perfect. Our evening was spent at the ocean over a bottle of champagne and a close cribbage game (that Natalie won). We are so excited to celebrate with you all and hug everyone and have so much fun on September 26th! Thanks for reading love you all!!!! :-)