As a little gift to each other, we each wrote our own version of our story without reading the other’s first. It was so special to see our journey through each other’s eyes, and we hope you enjoy reading both perspectives as much as we enjoyed writing them.

For me, it all started the summer of my junior year of high school. A friend invited me over to a hot tub party and we ended up at Jack’s house. That night I met a kid who was super cute, kinda weird, extremely smart and funny and definitely had a girl friend. All I could hear was my mom’s voice in my head, “Don’t worry, people break up. You can always be friends”. So that’s exactly what I did, I became Jack's very best friend.

Luckily, it didn’t take long for them to break up and I became his shoulder to cry on. From that point on we were inseparable. We even scheduled our wisdom teeth surgeries at the same time so we could spend recovery together, drooling on the couch and surviving off of mashed potatoes. At the time, I was working at Yogurtini. Jack would spend almost every night hanging out with me while I worked. I didn’t have a car yet, so he would drive me home. Of course I paid him in unlimited yogurt. It didn’t matter if we were spending the weekend in Vail, doing homework, or driving around with no where to go, we always had so much fun together. The highlight of it all was our trip to Puerto Vallarta with Jack’s parents. I remember feeling so grown up getting to spend an entire week together!

Before long it was time for college and we had a decision to make. He was going to CSU, I was going to UNC. The colleges were only an hour apart and we thought.. well we went to different high schools and it was fine. What could possible go wrong? Let’s stay together! Unfortunately, long distance turned out to be harder than we anticipated. After a few breakups and makeups, we eventually decided to call it quits junior year.

We went our separate ways and spent the next few years figuring out life on our own. Until one day, I was just minding my own business when I randomly saw him again. I was tubing in Golden with friends and stopped at the Golden Mill for lunch. Just as we were leaving, another group walked in looking for a table. As they got closer I realized it was Jack and his friends. I couldn’t believe it. Part of me hoped he didn’t see me so I could quickly grab my stuff and make a run for it. Luckily, Jack was much braver than I was and came over to say hello.

Seeing him again after all those years was surreal. It truly felt like fate and just like that we picked up right where we left off. 💕It didn’t take long for us to realize this time was different. He won my heart all over again, not just by the way he loved me, but also by the way he fell in love with Harlow. Since then, we have built a beautiful life together. We have gone on countless adventures, bought our first house and adopted the sweetest little kitty, Atlas. Then, came the easiest "yes" of my life. My sweet, nervous man spoke from his heart, and I've never felt so loved or so seen. After we got engaged, I knew I wanted to soak up the "fiancé bubble" for as long as possible, so we decided on a long engagement and a destination wedding. I feel so incredibly lucky to have a partner who makes every adventure sweeter and every dream feel possible simply because we're chasing it together. I couldn't be more excited for all the chapters still to come and blessed I get to do life with my best friend by my side.

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Olivia and I met long ago in a town far, far away, called Highlands Ranch, Colorado. It was 2012, and mutual friends brought us together for a hot tub party at my parents’ house. It was love at first sight! Just kidding, I had a girlfriend at the time, so Olivia and I became just friends. However, little did I know that Olivia was patiently waiting, biding her time for a chance with this handsome stud. When she finally got her chance, after I was single again and we went to an 18+ club for some dancing in Denver, and I decided to make the first move. After that, it was love! One milestone and big life event after another, we stuck together and dated into college. Even though we went to different schools, we visited each other all the time, we made it work. Unfortunately, the “college experience” took its toll, and we split after three and a half years together.

Chapter 2: We Were On A Break!

But really, we took a long break. Five years went by, we saw other people, graduated college, started full time jobs, and made new friends. During this time, we found ourselves, matured, became real adults, and experienced our own ups and downs. I think both of us realize how important this chapter really was.

Chapter 3: The Reunion

Less long ago, in another far, far away town, called Golden, Colorado, I was enjoying one of my favorite summertime activities, tubing on Clear Creek. Little did I know, so was Olivia. While we didn’t see each other on the river, fate had a way of bringing us together. After tubing my friends and I went to a local bar, and while we were searching for a table, one of Olivia friends waved us over saying that they were leaving and we could have it. I quickly recognized Olivia and decided at that moment to let bygones be bygones, and said hello to Olivia and her friends, suggesting we catch up and get a drink sometime. Olivia agreed.

Chapter 4: Old Sparks

Olivia quickly realized that she had blocked my phone number… so she couldn’t hear from me or get a hold of me… uh oh! Luckily, she reached out on Instagram asking if I was interested in getting that drink, to which I happily obliged. A date at Parry’s Pizza led to another date hiking at Saint Mary’s Glacier, where I got to meet Harlow, a rambunctious puppy who I would soon fall in love with and come to call my own. A few more dates and soon we were at Red Rocks for Olivia’s birthday, when I decided enough was enough and it was time to let fate have it’s way, asking her to be mine once again.

Chapter 5: Us

Time flies! We’ve been together now nearly as long as we were apart. I can’t imagine my life without Olivia. We’ve had so many adventures and milestones together, I’ve lost count. Harlow accepted me as her dad, and we became “You, Me, and the Dog”. We moved in together. We bought our first house together! Olivia supported me through the challenges and long night of grad school, cheering me on every step of the way. We adopted our sweet, sweet kitty, Atlas. And somewhere along the way, I decided Olivia was the one. I bought a ring, took Olivia to BANFF for “my birthday”, and proposed on top of the tallest mountain in Canada (probably). I was pretty nervous, so all I remember saying is “I love doing life with you.” I think I remembered to ask her to marry me.

Chapter 6: What’s Next?

I can’t tell the future, but I do know that the future is bright. We have an amazing wedding planned for TUSCANY with our family and our very best friends. I can’t wait to achieve more milestones, go on more adventures, build a family, and keep “doing life” with my best friend; and our dog, and the cat. Life with Olivia is amazing, and I can’t imagine where I would be without her.