We met in July 2020 at James Madison Park in Madison, WI, enjoying pizza while keeping a safe six feet apart. From the very first moment, Lauren could tell Zach was family-oriented and shared her love of travel and the outdoors. Zach immediately noticed Lauren’s adventurous spirit and zest for life, and it was clear they shared a curiosity for the world around them. Our first date was, fittingly, all about pizza. From there, our adventures together only grew. Zach quickly became a part of Lauren’s daily life, even helping raise her energetic puppy, Colbie. Between bath-time chaos, teaching Colbie independence, and many puppy walks, it was clear teamwork was our thing. Early on, Zach impressed Lauren by cooking her a vegan burger, and Lauren returned the favor with countless vegan creations - though he still refuses kale. Six months later, Zach’s pulled pork smelled so good that Lauren decided to go off vegan on the spot - a true culinary turning point. Together, we’ve discovered countless shared passions. We love traveling (six continents and one to go!), hiking through Madison’s sprawling dog parks and beyond, cooking, and experimenting with new recipes. We also play on the same ultimate frisbee team each summer and have completed two half marathons together. The proposal was sweet and intimate. During a visit to Minocqua, WI, a place full of meaning for us, Zach proposed on Madeline Lake, with Colbie swimming happily nearby. It was the perfect blend of family, adventure, and love. As we look forward, we’re excited to officially become a family and continue exploring the world together, making memories in every corner of it.