"I swear I couldn't love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow."

We had been friends for years. This made it extra weird when I decided to ask Mike out. And by asking him out, I mean I texted him...because (1.) it's not easy facing rejection, and (2.) I'm a millennial, we don't call people anymore. I didn't know Mike was working when I messaged him, so I waited HOURS for a response. When the text finally came through, I read that he had feelings for me for quite some time. We did end up calling each other and we laughed, we were awkward, but we were such good friends that we agreed we could make things work out even if the date didn't go as planned. We went out soon after and discovered that we both have a deep love for all animals, and that a nice day is being outside looking for turtles and coming back home to our cats. No frills, no fluff. We knew it was meant to be.

Fast forward a couple years and we are in Washington state. Hiking beautiful Mount Rainier in June, with snow still covering the mountain. Mike is a photographer so of course he brought his camera. He would set up his tripod and take pictures of us standing atop the mountain. As we were standing in front of the tripod for a picture, Mike gets down on one knee *in his snow shoes*, pretty smooth. I promise you, I was surprised. Even though I should have guessed it could happen with how picturesque everything was. We hadn't made any formal plans, we bought our first home the previous year and were just starting to travel. Knowing how relaxed we both are, Mike's proposal admitted he knew there was no rush, and that we'd stay together always. I had almost convinced him of a 2020 wedding, but we comprised on a three year engagement ;)