We're getting married!

We met in the nerdiest way possible—at Colorado State’s library during finals week. Sophie was searching for a study spot when her friend Brandon offered her a seat at his table. That’s when she noticed Sam, the cute boy in glasses across from her. From there, they found endless excuses to see each other, and the rest is history.

For their first date, Sophie asked Sam to go kayaking at her best friend’s lake house. Afterwards, Sam suggested dinner at Panhandler’s Pizza. What he didn't know was it was where Sophie’s parents, Amy and David, first met while working in college. What began as their love story came full circle, with Sophie and Sam’s story beginning in the very same place.

Not long after they met, Sophie left for a summer in Switzerland to nanny and work on a small farm. Despite the distance, she and Sam stayed close, and when life brought her home unexpectedly, he was there at the airport, ready to stand by her side. From then on, their story grew through the seasons of college: late-night games of Catan, adventures in the mountains backpacking and fishing, summers in Estes Park where Sophie guided fly-fishing trips, visits to Sam’s family in New England, and Sunday dinners on Sophie’s family farm. Each moment stitched together a love that felt both steady and full of adventure.

After graduating from Colorado State (Go Rams!), Sam got a job in Portland, Oregon, and they took the leap together, moving the first week of March 2020. Quarantine wasn’t how they imagined starting this chapter, but they embraced it, starting new careers, Sophie learning to ski, Sam backcountry skiing and summiting many of the Cascades, and falling in love with the magic of the Pacific Northwest. They also adopted their dog, aka the best boy, Bert. A few years later, Sophie got a job offer in Bend, Oregon. With more sun, mountains at their doorstep, and new adventures waiting, they couldn’t say no. Bend quickly became home, where they’re surrounded by a wonderful community, their first house, and the perfect balance of adventure and fun—skiing in the mornings, fishing in the afternoons, and catching a concert to end the night.

Did you love the art on our Save the Date? A special thank you to Jessica West, our talented friend who made that for us as an engagement present. You can find her artwork on Instagram: @tumbleweed.beads We also want to take this opportunity to thank our parents: David, Amy, Caryn and Joe. And our siblings: Sam, Spencer, Casey, Corinne, and Brian. We are so grateful for your support and love you so so much.