Like many before, Xander and Madi met on a dating app. We hit it off instantly and casually dated for a few months before deciding our priority was building a strong, meaningful friendship.

Within a few months, Madi, her two youngest daughters, and their corgi moved in with Xander and his menagerie. Chaos reigned with two Great Danes, a Corgi, four cats, and a roommate. Amidst the furnado, career transitions, various relationships, life- and body-altering changes, and about 12 feet of snow, Madi and Xander forged the bonds of something more profound than friendship. They became family.

Somewhere among 18 months of living, loving, laughing, and crying together, Madi and Xander found that their love for each other had grown beyond that of friends or even family. They realized they made each other better—stronger in the vulnerability they shared. Both knew the other was who they wanted to build a life with. So, with wild abandon, they chose each other. Though the shift seemed sudden to many, Madi and Xander knew the foundation of love, trust, and friendship they had built together was built to last a lifetime.

Not ones for tradition, Madi and Xander took turns proposing to each other. Madi proposed first, taking Xander to his parents' cabin—where their new relationship began and where they intended to wed. During a sunset walk in the glistening snow, Madi asked Xander to be hers. Naturally, Xander excitedly said yes. A few weeks later, Xander and Madi vacationed at their favorite hot springs retreat—another place for key turning points in their relationship. With the help of two of his best friends and the staff, the couple entered their chalet filled with flowers, candlelight, champagne, and music. Before Madi could process what was happening, Xander was on one knee, declaring his love and asking for Madi's hand in marriage. You'll never guess what happened next: she said yes!