Beau was in his final year at UW-La Crosse and Sam was just starting her Masters program and Graduate Assistantship with the outdoor program on campus, Outdoor Connection. This just so happened to be where Beau was working. We were on campus two weeks before classes started for training. We spent our time adventuring around the La Crosse area canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking and climbing. Throughout those couple weeks, we learned just how much we shared. Our love for the outdoors, adventure, family and friends. As the weeks went on, our time spent together grew longer, our conversations deeper, hearts fonder and the rest is history!

Both of our families had planned on taking a trip together in May 2020 to Whistler, British Columbia. Beau had an elaborate proposal in place. Sam had no idea. But ultimately the pandemic had other ideas and the trip was cancelled. Fast forward 2 months and Beau's family was visiting Wisconsin from Texas. We spent a week together in Green Lake visiting, hiking, boating and enjoying the summer days. The last 2 days of their trip we met Sam's family at their cabin. Friday was spent exploring and enjoying a campfire and good company. Saturday, we woke up and Sam was starting to get breakfast ready when Beau asked her to go for a four-wheeler ride with him and Cody (Beau's Brother). He told her he wanted to check the trails to make sure they were clear to go with everyone later that day. Sam didn't understand why we had to go at that minute and not later after breakfast but after a bit of convincing off we went. We were driving along when Beau suddenly told Sam to stop driving and that we had to get off to go look at something. We walked over to look at....and that 's when Beau got down on one knee, Cody threw him the ring, and he popped the question after some other sweet and loving words. We headed back to the cabin where we shared the exciting news, popped some bubbly and celebrated together with our families.