In college Justin and Tess were introduced to each other by Tess's best friend, Leah. Justin was so nervous he barely spoke to Tess. A couple days later after gaining some courage, he asked for her phone number. Over the course of several months Justin tried time and time again to spend time with Tess, but to no avail. As a last attempt to hang out, Justin invited Tess to go whitewater rafting and, to his surprise, she accepted. Tess brought her friend Briar with her where they were guided by Justin's best friend, Bear. And the rest, as they say, is history.

When Tess went to visit Justin at his rafting outpost in Clear Creek, Colorado, his mobile lifestyle intrigued her. She thought, "I could live in a truck like that" (little did she know...) Then when Justin and Tess went on their first "date" rafting with Bear and Briar on Clear Creek, Tess couldn't help but gaze in amazement at the grin of pure joy Justin had on his face as they careened through the Class V rapids. It was then that she knew she wanted to spend her days adventuring the world with that carefree joyous soul.

After only a few months of dating, Tess left to study abroad in India. During their time apart Justin dreamed of ways to adventure with his little barefoot hippie. When they discussed what to spend their time doing over the coming summer, Tess agreed to undergo Bear's raft guide training. When she also agreed to move into "Frijole," Justin's little Chevy S10, he knew she would be the one to perfectly compliment his adventurous lifestyle.