We happened to meet through mutual friends and instantly had big gut feelings about each other, but had no idea the significance of them at the time. Charlotte was in a relationship, and Zach wasn't looking to date at all, so we passed like ships until a year later when we couldn't help but reconnect. Zach fooled her into hanging out by pretending he wanted to learn how to cook (*he definitely doesn't care about cooking), and Charlotte invited him to a concert in San Francisco because she had extra tickets but no takers. Our first real time spent together was an adventure road trip which may or may not have included car problems on the Bay Bridge. We have barely spent a day apart since that concert, but along with the existential confusion that dictates your early twenties, we resisted dating each other for a really long time. We came, we saw, we both played it "cool" while the other person went on dates when we were both selfishly peeved at the idea of being taken away from each other. Zach says he knew Charlotte was his wife since before they dated, or he even fully BELIEVED in marriage. However, he was young and wasn't sure if he was ready for her, yet. Charlotte says she had no idea they'd actually work out for the long term but knew the current trajectory of their incredibly close relationship indicated SOME sort of inevitable progression. It was like one really long episode of Dawson's Creek and we've failed at just being friends for seven years running now.

We built our lives towards each other even before we finally decided to date by having all the same ambitions and dreams. Zach supported Charlotte through cooking school, job transfers, her personal training certification, and lots of crying over 12 hour days. Charlotte cheered Zach on while he became completely independently employed with his coaching and assured him that he'd make it on his own. We moved in together and promoted to 24/7 Netflix and chill. We adopted animals and started a business because apparently we cannot have TOO much time together-- it kinda grosses us out, too, don't worry. Now, we spend all our time promoting sustainable health with our coaching company, obsessing over our fur family, and spending all our money on fun vacations. We grow. We are partners in every sense and we would commit to living this life for a million more years if we could.

Zach knew the only way to surprise Charlotte would be to incorporate her proposal into something she thought was her own idea. So, when she booked a family shoot with her best friend, Ali, who conveniently happens to be one of the best photographers in Reno, he immediately got in an alliance with her to make it a surprise proposal. Months ahead of time they coordinated ordering the ring to Ali's house, even coming up with hockey related code words so Charlotte wouldn't even think to get suspicious, because she really doesn't "sports." They headed up to Tahoe with her best friends who were just there to "wrangle the dogs" during couples shots, and she didn't even bat an eyelash as they videoed certain things as she was very convinced it was for Ali's social media presence. At the end of the shoot Zach got down on one knee. She was so surprised she forgot to answer him. We can't wait to celebrate our marriage with you in Hawaii!