How did two people grow up in Georgia, meet in North Carolina, travel the western United States together, and then decide to spend the rest of their lives together? Well the story goes something like this…

With a love of rivers and the pursuit of adventure, Sam and I found ourselves living and working together in a tucked away little magical river town in Western North Carolina — an area that still holds a special place in our hearts. It was there, on the Nantahala River, during the summer of 2014, under the moonlight and surrounding a campfire that we started to experience mutual butterflies. From there, we took to the rivers for some real bonding. We always say that if you really want to get to know someone, then you’ve got to do something challenging together. And that we did.

In December of 2014, we not only survived, but thrived together on a 21-day whitewater rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. When the trip was over and we had to face reality, we laughed our way home during the course of a two day cross country drive. At that point, we both knew something good was happening between us.

New years of 2015 came and went… but not without a hitch. Interestingly enough, this was one of the few times throughout our relationship that we had ever been apart for very long. While distance can make the heart grow fonder, Sam getting hurt in a foreign country is something neither of us expected. While in Ecuador kayak guiding for work, Sam had a home-made Ecuadorian firework explode in his hand after trying to light the night with fire. Several Skype calls and one long flight later, Sam arrived home. Over the next few weeks I helped nurse Sam back to his normal, healthy and happy self.

During those few weeks, we would also apply for a position that if selected would take us outside of our comfort zone in the gorge, to the big mountains and dry air of the west coast that we ultimately craved.

As fate would have it, we were proud to be chosen as the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics 2016 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers Team West. A few short months later, we packed up our belongings, hugged our dear friends and family goodbye and hit the road. And from April 2015 to April 2016, we learned how to enjoy living and working always within an arms reach of one another out of a Subaru Crosstrek.

As if that wasn’t a big enough challenge, we decided to change our outlook on adventure in May of 2016 by starting our very own first online business. This new adventure certainly has (and will continue to have) it’s own challenges. But hey, no risk, no reward. Right?

Speaking of risk and reward, rewind to January 2016 (yet again another momentous New Years!) when Sam took one of the biggest risks of his life. On that cold New Years Day, January 1st 2016, during an afternoon picnic atop of Hooper Bald in western North Carolina, Sam asked me to marry him with a box of chocolates and a frozen ring.

And in that split second on top of Hooper Bald, my mind was flooded with memories of both the amazing and challenging times we had spent together. It was then, in that moment of reflection, that I knew we had managed to create a true and lasting connection, one that could endure growth, change and challenges alike. As the cold breeze snapped me back into reality, I had no doubts that our relationship could enjoy in yet another new adventure.

And that’s how two people grew up in Georgia, met in North Carolina, traveled the Western United States together and then decided to spend the rest of their lives together.

Thanks to each and every one of you for being a part of our story. May you continue to help us write an ending that is just as interesting as the beginning.