December 28th, 2024, Sam and Ian's anniversary. They rented out a lake cabin in small town Jeffersonville, VT. Cute and rustic, it would be the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway. The days were filled with touring Vermont's classic sights; Stowe cider and family-owned diners. And when they had their fill of the outside world, they would escape to the cozy cabin to read in front of the fireplace. Life being as it is, struggles inevitably arose. The first night was off to a great start with good food, a warm fire, and cheery company. This all changed when the power went out. Electric powered fire was gone, lights went dark, and WiFi died. An easy fix, just ask the owners for the location of the fuse box. It was about then that they remembered it isn't common to have cellphone service when in the middle of rural Vermont. They worked together to not imagine this as a horror movie, and instead find one working outlet for the WiFi router. It required ripping some wiring from the walls, but eventually they were able to regain contact with the outside world and learn the fuse box was behind the bathroom mirror all along! With a satisfying conclusion, they restored light and hope to their anniversary. The next day passed with high spirits and many laughs over the turmoil of the previous night. The evening of the anniversary was quickly approaching, and our loving couple planned on spending some time simmering in the hot tub before enjoying a sunset campfire. Of course, they had forgotten how quickly the winter sun drops below the horizon. Isolated as they were, sitting in a hot tub while in the middle of a dark forest turned out to be more than slightly unnerving. They enjoyed only a quick dip before wisely deciding to illuminate their surroundings with primal light. They nurtured a blazing fire, and soon they were feeling much safer. Sam and Ian enjoyed many hours chatting, then sitting contently quiet in each other's arms. It was during this snowy night, lit by the dancing flame, hushed in calm quiet, that Ian knelt in front of Sam and asked to share this peace every day of their lives. In this life and the next.