We're getting married!

What are the odds that two people who grew up their entire lives in Virginia would find themselves meeting in Columbus, Ohio? Not only do they meet, but they fall in love and get married! Some may call it grace. Perhaps it was luck. Or simply happenchance. Whatever it may be, this is the story of Shannon and Bryant. During the 2016 football season, Bryant was meeting up with his friend Olivia to watch some games and grab a bite to eat. Olivia thought it would be great to bring a friend from her apartment building along for dinner. They all met up at the Walrus in downtown Columbus for some food and drinks. That was the first time that Bryant and Shannon would meet! Bryant, of course decked out in his UVA gear and Shannon in her Buckeyes swag. That night would become the first of many times Bryant and Shannon share a night out on the town!

Unlike most days in Aspen, the Friday of the proposal was not a particularly picturesque day. But, it was better weather than was in the forecast for that Saturday, when Bryant initially intended to propose to Shannon on top of Buttermilk Mountain. A winter storm was moving through the mountains, and the high temperature for Saturday was supposed to be around 10 degrees. Shannon indicated this was not weather she intended to go skiing in. This required Bryant, with the help of his close friend Ben, to move up the proposal a day, and come up with a new plan to make the proposal happen. Bryant and Shannon would now start the Friday off skiing on Snowmass Mountain, eventually meeting Ben and his girlfriend Jess at Buttermilk Mountain (which they would hike up!) for a “last run of the day.” Bryant and Shannon had a great day skiing, but as the day was coming to an end, Shannon was rightfully getting tired. They grabbed a quick bite to eat before hopping on the bus to head back over to Buttermilk Mountain from Snowmass. The food and lengthy ride were almost their downfall! When they arrived at Buttermilk, Shannon was ready to pack it in. Bryant, still loose from the flask that had been giving him courage all day, hopped into action. He strapped her back in her ski boots, and they headed to the Express lift to meet Ben and Jess at the top. After exiting the lift, they spotted Ben and Jess over at a mountain overlook that had the famous Pyramid Mountain in the background, and started walking toward their friends. Shannon, still somehow not figuring out what was going on, commented on their 100 foot walk that the trek was her “Everest.” However, when she reached her “summit” and saw Bryant on bended knee, all of her weariness faded away. Coincidentally, at this moment for the first time all day the storm clouds opened up and the sun began to shine. Hopefully, a great omen for their engagement! Oh yeah, they still had to ski down with all that excitement!