The short version is that we met at the gym at the University of Maine. Cameron worked out there (surprise surprise) and Marissa worked and lifted there, too. But the truth is Cameron had his eyes on Marissa for some time and one day he had the courage to compliment her haircut at the gym (needless to say, her hair was up so he'd been paying attention for some time!) while we crossed paths on the steps. Cameron says when Marissa said "thanks" he nearly tripped down the stairs! But, it wasn't just Cameron noticing Marissa - she had noticed him awhile before in his star leggings lifting at the gym and she just had a feeling he was someone special. We met the month before Cameron was moving indefinitely to Alabama to finish school. Marissa was staying in Orono to complete graduate school. But that month left a lasting impression on us both and we all know the ending of the story (he moved back to Maine!).

We made our way to Gulf Hagas, a beautiful 8 mile hike in northern Maine, that we had done the summer before. We love this hike because it's quiet, there's watering holes you can swim in, and has gorgeous views (fun fact: it's called the Grand Canyon of the East!). It was a rainy morning in August of 2019 but we decided to go hike anyway. On the 2-hour drive to the trailhead, Cam mentioned that he borrowed his friends GoPro to test it out and told Marissa he wanted her to find the prettiest spot to test out it's camera. 2 miles in, Marissa found the perfect spot (that just so happened to be an outlook named "The Jaws"). It overlooked a beautiful waterfall and was at the top of a cliff. Cam set up the GoPro to the tree and came over to Marissa (after digging around in his backpack rather suspiciously a bit before) to "take a photo" (turns out it was on video - he's so tricky!). Marissa took a second to look out at the view and when she turned around, Cameron was getting down on one knee. With shaky legs, excited hearts, and 6 more miles to hike, Cameron & Marissa were already dreaming up how they'd bring their family there some day and show them the spot where this chapter of forever started. This day was by far the best surprise of Marissa's life.

August 2015: We went on their first date - ice cream from the Family Dog in Orono & a walk along the river (and Cameron drove his motorcycle not his "creeper" white van ha) September 2015: Cameron moved his life down to Alabama January 1, 2016: Marissa road tripped down to Alabama with Cam (in the white van this time!) and we officially became girlfriend & boyfriend April 2016: Cameron moved his life back to Maine 2016 - 2019: Lots of adventures - to New York City, Jamaica, Montreal, and more! August 17. 2019: Cam proposed at Gulf Hagas - what a beautiful surprise! September 18, 2021: We will start the next chapter of forever together as Mr. & Mrs. Campbell!