We have an unusual story only God could have written. It all started because of Cru, the college campus ministry we were both involved with at two different universities. Bree was part of Cru at Cal Poly SLO while Max was part of Cru Salt Lake City at the University of Utah. Both of us decided to go on a Cru mission in Lake Tahoe the summer of 2023 after our second years of college. We initially became fast friends in Tahoe, but didn't develop feelings for each other until a few days before the mission ended. While hiking up Mt. Tallac with a small group of friends, Bree and Max talked almost the entire way. We both suddenly and individually realized our love for each other, but neither of us told the other how we felt before leaving Tahoe, thinking we'd likely never see each other again.

The story obviously didn't end there. Max and Bree stayed in touch, and after about a month of constant texting and calling, Max finally made his move. On September 21, 2023 he asked Bree if she'd be interested in dating long-distance, to which she agreed. We both thought we were crazy, but felt the Lord leading us to trust Him in this. The next two years consisted of hours spent on FaceTime and several plane flights between Salt Lake City and San Luis Obispo. Despite the 841 miles separating them, Bree and Max's relationship grew ever deeper with every call and visit. We continuously prayed and trusted God for a chance to eventually close the distance, and that door finally opened. During Bree's last year at Cal Poly, she discovered her dream grad program was offered at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She made plans to move the following year, and by this time Bree and Max were both certain God was soon leading them towards marriage.

The greatest expression of Max's love for Bree was displayed in his heartfelt proposal on July 25, 2025. Bree's family had planned a trip to Lake Tahoe before she moved to Utah, and Max saw the perfect opportunity to propose in the same place they met. His and Bree's families were all hands-on deck to pull off the surprise. Bree's brother Hunter suggested they hike Mt. Tallac together one morning while in Tahoe, the same hike where she and Max had fallen in love. She had no idea Max had driven to Tahoe from Salt Lake the day before and had hiked up to the top earlier that morning. Bree's best friend Natalie had tagged along to capture pictures of the moment Max got down on one knee at the same exact spot he'd realized he loved her two years before. This day was the most beautiful display of love, emulating how God loves us and pursues us in ways that speak to our heart most. The love story we have is a gift straight from His hand.