Now I 'm glad I get forever to see where you end

We originally met through one of Zadie's college instructors. Matt was a graduate assistant at the time, and Zadie was in her undergrad focusing on her degree. Our first conversation was actually about tattoos! After that, Matt followed Zadie on instagram. We did not talk again other than saying "hi" in passing until that summer when Zadie started her internship at the college HPESS building. Over the summer, we shared glances, liked each other's instagram stories, and again only would have small talk at the desk or in passing. Until Zadie's last day at her internship. She had recently gotten in business cards for personal training and had brought only 1 to show all of her fellow interns. Well, Matt decided to come into the gym that day. Zadie knew if she didn't do something she'd never see him again. So, she did what any sensible person would have done after much goading from her friends... she gave him her ONLY business card under the guise that she was passing them out to everyone that day. Then her friend said, "Oh yeah, and that's her personal cell, you can call her any day or night." Zadie was mortified- but it worked. Two hours later, he asked her out for coffee (not knowing it was one of her favorite things in the world), and they have been pretty inseparable after that first coffee date!

If you know us, you know we love national parks, getting outdoors, and hiking! Well, for Matt's 26th birthday, Zadie planned him a trip to Colorado! We had talked about getting engaged but had determined we would wait until after Zadie was done with her graduate program. Little did she know, Matt has already put the ball in motion. He had asked her dad, gotten the ring, had someone give Zadie a tripod (she wanted to capture more photos and videos), and planned the day all without her knowing. We woke up that morning, and Zadie just had a gut feeling that her life was about to change. We had gone to a concert the night before so we got a late start. Matt began to freak out a little once we got to the park because it looked like rain, AND the week before Rocky Mountain National Park had gotten upwards of 30 inches of snow! So, we weren't able to do the trail we had originally planned because it was snowed over. Matt exclaimed that the day would still be amazing, and we even walked to a little coffee shop before hand to grab a coffee (it's another thing we love). Then we headed to the park trail! We did the lakes trail which is the MOST popular trail in the park. It was super busy, but about .25 miles into it we were alone in front of this gorgeous backdrop. It was at this moment Matt suggested we stop for a photo. So, Zadie set up the tripod. The first photo was perfect, but then Matt asked to grab one more. That's when he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him in one of the most beautiful places we'd ever been.