Dylan and I met for the first time in Plymouth, NH in 2016 when we were only 19 years old. We were both working as instructors at Waterville Valley Resort, but we met in the most romantic way: sharing a keg behind a random garage at a college party! Over the next year we got to know each other slowly, which translates to Dylan waiting patiently while I was a hyper-independent woman on the loose. About six months after we met, and seven months before we started dating, Dylan first told me he loved me while laughing, saying "You're crazy, but I love you". This man knew exactly what he had in front of him, his future wife. All it took for me to come to my senses was a very close friend hearing me describe Dylan as my best friend, and she didn't hesitate to tell me if I didn't act soon I was going to lose him forever. Let me tell you, I have spent the past nine years thanking that friend. We started dating on May 18th 2017, and nine years later we still fall more in love every day.

On a hot and humid day in August of 2024, Dylan asked me to go on a short hike to a fire tower not far from his parents house. We planned to recreate a photo from when we first met, using Beans as a stand-in for Dylan's childhood dog Murphy. I'm a sucker for nostalgia and dogs, so I was excited! We got lost on the way, and drove an hour off course. Dylan asked if I still wanted to go. I said of course! Just then a flash thunderstorm and pouring rain hit us. Dylan asked if I still wanted to go. I said of course! The sky cleared, and halfway up the trail I found a pretty mossy stump to disturb, and managed to get very stung by ground wasps! Dylan asked if I wanted to keep going. I said of course! We made it to the fire tower, I climbed up to get the photo (success!), and was so absorbed in watching the hummingbirds and the view! The next time I looked down, Dylan was on one knee with a ring in his hands, grinning from ear to ear. The easiest YES of my life!

Together Dylan and I have moved across the country with no home and no plan. We have helped each other make it through college. We have supported each other through countless hard times, and celebrated every one of each other's little wins along the way. We are truly lucky to share a love so deeply rooted in best-friendship.