I knew it was time to propose when I had to stop myself from getting on my knee and saying the words "will you marry me" about five times a day. Everyday moments that seemed like the perfect opportunity to pull out a ring and start professing my love kept piling up. Whether you were bringing me breakfast in bed, or we were out on a date tripping each other as we walked along the sidewalk laughing uncontrollably, or riding in the car with the windows down gushing over Poppy with his head out the window... there came a point where I couldn't go even a few hours without wishing I had a ring to pull out and present you with. Every time I was overcome with emotion for how much I love you and how grateful I am for the way you make even the hardest parts of life fun and exciting, I was biting my tongue to save it for the perfect moment I had yet to plan. And then, there was the fact that you were thinking the same, and kept asking "what if we just got married tonight?" I ordered the ring, and in the months it took to arrive, I realized that I didn't actually need to have it in hand to take a moment to tell you that you are the best version of love I could ever imagine and that I want to marry you already. So first, I pulled out a watch and told you it was time. Then, I gave you the ring at the end of the climb. The first proposal was on one of our favorite hikes in Snow Canyon, which is the first place we took a trip together to. The second was while watching the sunset at the top of the water tower in Trolley Square, somewhere we've visited throughout the years together. Both places are breathtaking sights to see, but what really makes for a dreamy, dazzling view is being there with you.

Being alive is weird, and lonely. And scary. And you need someone to help keep you on track, to help you be less lonely, and to more importantly goof around with. Sometimes, that leads to the decision to download Hinge. After both deleting the app (and redownloading, and deleting again...) their profiles were suggested to each other in January of 2022. Anna: a spunky, artsy activist with a passion for fashion and her dogs! And Gavin: a goofy nerd with a strange sense of humor! Their forces combined on their first date at the Natural History Museum, and sparks flew! Conversation was had! Jokes were made! Gavin took Anna to Taco Bell after. Not the best move! (His own words...) But a memorable one to say the least. The relationship grew. They had their first kiss two weeks after they met, just after Anna said "how high do you think I can jump" and subsequently slammed her head into Gavin’s basement ceiling. Despite (or maybe because of) their loveable follies in those first few weeks, they became official one month into knowing each other and haven’t looked back since. Through all the camping trips (the good, the bad, and the scary); hiking, paddling, ski skating and biking throughout the mountain west; over all the lunches on campus, and graduations that followed (for the last three years, one or both have taken turns getting a degree each year); between faking a Vegas elopement to prank their parents, aerial yoga, cross-country train trips, goth proms, gay proms, a hundred concerts, opportunities, accomplishments, and rejections. . . After more than 4 years overflowing with adventure, they both still get butterflies. Together, they've learned firsthand how to navigate the world better. The secret is that it's less scary with someone by your side who knows and loves and laughs with you through everything you do.