Our best friends, who are now our matron of honor (McKenna) and best man (Josh), introduced us. We were just flirty friends for a while, but McKenna and Josh were very persistent in trying to get us together, taking us out for double dates and making sure we always had a spot at the weekly bonfires to cozy-up next to each other.

At one of our weekly bonfire gatherings with friends, Triston ended up "accidentally" (he claims) spilling his beer on me about 5 minutes after I mentioned something about trying to keep my new pants clean - the poor things never even stood a chance! Oddly enough, either his messy attempt at flirting worked or his apology was immensely endearing, because for some reason we both remember that night as the bonfire where we opened up to each other and sparks really started to fly between us. It wasn't long after that when we started getting more serious about having a relationship - so now when the Frankie Ballard song comes on, we always joke that our relationship "started with a beer."

After several fishing dates and spending many weekends cuddled up together at bonfires, Triston sweet-talked me into flying to Maine to visit him while he was staying with his dad for the summer. We went on some fun hiking and fishing adventures in the mountains while we were there, and on July 1st, 2016, he officially asked me to be his girlfriend, claiming to have waited for that specific date so he could easily remember our anniversary - such a Triston thing to do, looking back at it! We have faced many highs and lows together through the years since then - with Triston stepping up right off the bat to be my rock through many of my health complications and in supporting each other through the stressors of school. Regardless, we have been blessed to be able to travel and go on many explorations with our fur baby, Zayla May (who joined our little family at the end of April, 2019), by our side whenever possible. We have also loved being able to spend our time hiking, fishing, hunting, playing disc golf and tennis, walking our Zayla-girl, visiting family and friends who live out of state, and of course snuggling up and binge watching Friends and The Office together in our free time!

Triston proposed while we were visiting our friends (Hunter & Esther) in Colorado, at the beautiful Garden of the Gods - which is where we ended up taking our engagement photos. Neither of us can really even remember what he said because he was so nervous and I was just so happy! GOG will now forever be a special place in our hearts! ♡