Michael: I walked out of my apartment on a cool morning to warm up my Volkswagen. As I approached the car I noticed something sitting on a motor just next to it. It was a polaroid picture of a beautiful young woman with a note than read, “Mystery Flower Man?#” My heart dropped and I quickly looked around to see if anyone was watching me. Seeing nobody, I left for work only to return 20 minutes later realizing it was Memorial Day and I did not need to go to work. As I pulled up in front of my apartment, I noticed someone with their hood up seemingly having car trouble. I immediately started to walk over to see if I could help. Then, when I was a few feet away I suddenly realized it was HER! It was too late to retreat because she turned and saw me. So I said…...“Polaroid Girl??” She blushed and giggled. I fixed her car and off she went to skate. It was a funny, awkward beginning to a beautiful friendship!

Rachel: I looked across the courtyard of my apartment complex one day and saw a very handsome young man holding a live chicken and talking to a neighbor. I immediately thought, “Wow, that is an interesting pet, I would love to meet him!” Fast forward a couple weeks to when I found a rose mysteriously left on my car. The next day was Memorial Day and I had an early figure skating lesson. I was running late because my car would not start. Just then, this same handsome young man was pulling into his driveway. I got nervous!! (You see, I was embarrassed after leaving a polaroid picture of myself on his car thinking he was the one that left the rose.) He walked over, asked me if I needed help and promptly fixed my car. There he was….my knight in shining armor!

Our first date was a trip to the Manitou Incline. This seemed like a good idea since we are both athletes. HA!! Maybe not. We had very little money and in the months that followed we loved finding ways to spend time together that were fun and inexpensive. In fact, we have made many trips back to the Incline and hiked lots of other beautiful mountain trails with our dog.

But for Michael to choose the Manitou Incline as the place to propose was a great idea! We felt on top of the world which is quite fitting since we were on top of the mountain. And there is no place more majestic or grand to be presented a ring than that very same Manitou Incline mountain top in the midst of God’s gorgeous creation. It was perfect and beautiful!!

Our plans after the wedding are to continue growing Michael’s Window Ninja business and for me to become a licensed Esthetician as I continue to train as a figure skater. We hope to eventually move to South Carolina where we want to build a self-sustaining earth ship home. As we develop our homestead we would also like to provide education and workshops on growing crops and using alternative types of energy. We would love to have our own children some day as well as adopt or provide a foster home. It is our sincere desire to make a positive imprint on our world without leaving an environmental footprint. We want to be a light and an example to our family, friends and neighbors.