Sierra and Brandon’s story began on Halloween night at Madison Bear Garden, the iconic Chico Collage bar. Sierra was dressed as a black cat, while Brandon, in true college humor, showed up as an FBI agent (female body inspector). As last call approached, Sierra took one final shot with her friends and spotted Brandon across the room. With a spark of curiosity and just enough liquid courage, she walked over and asked for his number. A moment that would change everything. From there, the two shared ice skating dates, bike rides, and beach adventures, followed by a year of long distance that pushed them to deeper conversations and revealed how naturally they fit together. What began as a spontaneous spark quickly grew into something steady, genuine, and full of love. And as fate would have it, Brandon’s parents also met on Halloween night. Some things really are meant to be.

Brandon had planned a weeklong getaway to Tahoe so he and Sierra could spend their days snowboarding and relaxing. What Sierra didn’t realize was that she isn’t a snowboarder at all, she’s a true skier, but more importantly, Brandon had something much bigger in store. Something that would change both of their lives forever. On Christmas Eve, they planned to go ice skating in Northstar Village, which has an outdoor rink surrounded by shops and restaurants. But when a snowstorm rolled in, their plans shifted. Instead, they wandered hand in hand through the village, pausing for a little window shopping before heading to dinner. The evening felt like a scene from a hallmark movie: twinkling lights overhead, snowflakes drifting down, small fire pits with people warming their fingers, and the sound of a live band playing, 'Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire'. As if the moment had been designed just for them, Brandon gently guided Sierra toward the empty, snow-covered ice rink that had been opened just for them by the manager. Sierra ready to ask what was happening but before she could, he dropped to one knee.