We Eloped!

Harrison and I met the old-fashioned way; by complete and total chance. We ended up in the same darkroom photography class together and didn't interact much outside of critiques for class assignments. We respected each others work but hung out with different circles. That is, until our junior year where we signed up for an experimental video art class. Our love of abstract and edgy art and a mutual respect for the same artists led us to work closely together throughout the semester. Now I can't speak for Harrison, but I was intensely curious about his creativity and perspective on the art we were creating. We were assigned an audio inspired project where we had to create a video inspired by a sound art piece. I chose to create a piece inspired by the story of Persephone. Harrison volunteered to help me with some shots that I would not be able to film by myself. We spent a full night shooting videos, talking, and laughing. It was the first of many nights spent creating art and getting to know each other. It was also the first night I thought that he could be something more than just my insanely talented and creative friend. A few days later, on March 7th 2019, after several flirty text messages and some nervous conversation - we met up for dinner and a comedy show at Helium Comedy Club (a new comedy spot in Indy that H was helping establish). We got dinner at Pure Eatery, a local vegan restaurant in Fountain Square (RIP - they closed in 2021) and had a great time. We drove over to Helium only to find out the soft opening was not happening and they were still closed. We ended up back at my house in Broad Ripple, watching the Black Mirror movie and playing with my dog Gremlin (who Harrison had a hand in me adopting). Our next few dates were hiking dates at various state parks in Indiana. We went to McCormick's Creek, Turkey Run, Shades, and Clifty Falls within the first few months of us dating. We bonded over a shared love of nature, hiking, landscape photography, and camping. It was on these hikes that Harrison shared with me his love of rock climbing. After a few weeks of dating I was invited to Sunday dinner with his sister Olivia and his brother-in-law Walter. When we arrived at their house, I was shocked to see an old acquaintance from high school standing at the door. My new boyfriend's brother-in-law went to my high school, and his MOM was my history teacher! I marched in marching band with his brother. It was the first of many small synchronicities that led H and I to each other. Fast-forward 6 years and we are engaged, living in Grand Junction, CO with two dogs (Gremlin and Kimchi) and a cat named CatBert. Through the past 6 years we have graduated from art school, moved in together, moved to Evansville during the pandemic, moved three times, worked multiple jobs, traveled all over the country, I went to nursing school and H supported me through it, and then moved across the country. There is no one on this planet I would rather go through this life with than him. We are so excited to start our lives together - and we cannot wait to celebrate the beginning of our next big journey with you in September!