Sean & Nicole most likely met during the 2007/2008 ski season, but neither made a significant impression on the other. To Nicole, Sean was the son of the local race administrator who was coaching her friends, and to Sean, Nicole was the younger sister of a former competitor. Their paths would cross again in the fall of 2009 as Nicole was a freshman at the University of New Hampshire and Sean was finishing his final semester. They had some mutual acquaintances but were going in different directions at the time. Sean graduated with a mechanical engineering degree and entered the Navy, which took him through Illinois, South Carolina, New York, and ultimately Virginia. Upon completing his enlistment in 2017, Sean found himself back in the Mt. Washington Valley coaching U16/U19 ski racing while looking for full time work. Meanwhile, Nicole finished her neuroscience degree and spent weekdays living in Boston and working at a pharma company, but joined her mom coaching U14 ski racing at Attitash on the weekends. One day in January, Nicole made her way to the bottom of Bear Peak where she saw a group of her former athletes that had moved on to the U16/U19 program and went over to say hi. Hearing the kids say her name, Sean quickly realized who had approached. He reintroduced himself, gave her a hug, and later reached out to her on social media. Nicole accepted his friend request, which was soon followed by a message saying they should grab a beer some time. Nicole rolled her eyes and texted her friend Kira, "I know what he's trying to do. People I will never date - Sean Badger." Despite some initial confusion, they met for a beer the next weekend, and then again the following night. Nicole quickly realized, and admitted, her error and they've enjoyed many drinks together since.

After coaching together at Attitash, Sean and Nicole moved over to Cranmore in 2019. They had also recently taken up alpine touring - a version of skiing where you skin uphill and then ski back down. Due to their hectic schedules they hadn't had much time to explore this new hobby and agreed to go up after training one Saturday in February. By the time training wrapped up for the day Nicole had long since forgotten about this plan. After some convincing they waived goodbye to their fellow coaches (all but one knew of Sean's plan) and headed to the Meister Hut at the top of the mountain where Kathy (Sean's mom) and Kira, along with her boyfriend, were waiting to document and celebrate the occasion. It didn't take long before Nicole had some comments about Sean's choice in route and her oft-maligned feet, and began suggesting they only go part way up. Sean, perturbed by the hindrance, encouraged her to continue. Nicole may have said, "You can go to the top, I don't have to go with you," which didn't help things. Acquiescing to Nicole's complaints Sean agreed to the new destination and dropped off the pace to covertly call and alert the others. Nicole put her head down and drudged on. As she arrived at their team building part way up the trail, she rushed inside to take her boots off and was oblivious to the familiar figures that had gathered with their backs to her. After some convincing she booted up and came outside. Sean gave her a hug and started into his speech when the unknowing coach skied right up to them to say hi. Without taking his eyes off Nicole, Sean said to the other coach, "I need to you leave - right now," as he got down on one knee to present the custom designed ring. She said yes and they all laughed, cried, cheers-ed, and celebrated until Ski Patrol showed up to kick them out. Thanks Sean M for documenting the occasion from your front row seat!