It all started on the White Salmon River with a rafting trip. Casey and Sam were having a weekend vacation full of adventure, so naturally they decided to suit up and grab a paddle. Prior to putting their rafts on the river, the crew gathered for a 10-minute intensive “rules of the river” boot camp. The guide opened with a challenge: two people with nerves of steel and ability to follow commands must sit in the bow seat; those people must keep paddling despite the treacherous conditions and listen for the guide’s orders. Sam instantly began to perspire, not just because of the neoprene suit in the 100 degree sun, but because he knew his partner was born with a paddle in hand. And he wasn’t going to sit in the back and watch her lead. He had to prove himself. This was his moment to shine. Sam’s paddle shakily rose with Casey’s to volunteer for the bow seats. Casey let out a battle cry in celebration of her new position, and Sam reciprocated with a timid wide-eyed smile, barely disguising the fear. The boat was in the water and the crew was at their stations. The guide shouted over the roar of the river, “We will encounter our first rapid immediately!” They were ready. The river was angry that day. Upon entering the first rapid, the boat bucked and tilted high on its side. Sam’s 10-minute intensive training kicked in. Casey was ejected backwards out of the boat and Sam instinctively grasped her life jacket to pull her back to the safety of their little yellow rubber Pequod. Savior soon became victim as the swift current tore Casey from Sam’s grasp and threw him head first into the violently thrashing rapids. Casey jauntily bobbed to the surface, invigorated by the brisk dip in the frigid water which was snowpack only hours before. She swam towards the boat and was pulled aboard. She immediately reclaimed her seat, ready to lead with paddle in hand and renewed determination on her face. Meanwhile, Sam was completing his third sumersault through the rapid, finally emerging above water sputtering and frantic. Again, his intensive training kicked in as he gasped through the foam towards his yellow inflatable salvation. After enjoying a refreshing cool crisp gulp or two of the river, Sam was pulled aboard. After taking one look at Sam and recognizing the face of complete disorientation, the guide grabbed a paddle and shouted, “Sam is our Captain for now!” Our valiant captain lay in a water-logged lump. With a thousand-yard stare, gasping like a fish in the sand, he manned the captain’s seat. With all the sure-footedness and confidence of a new-born fawn, Sam toddled and crawled to the front of the raft to reclaim his seat next to Casey. Not to be deterred by adversity, Casey and Sam forged their way downriver. Working as one, and now confident that together they could do anything, Sam thought to himself, “This is love” - Casey thought, “I’ve found my brave adventure partner.”