For those that have heard the long story, you understand how many moving parts occurred for us to meet (and move into the same house). For those that have yet to hear the long story, let us know and we will fill you in. Long story short though, in Summer 2018, Cody and two friends, Skyler and Laura, had moved to Fort Collins for a change of pace from California. Seeing a huge house with a low cost of rent, they jumped on the opportunity and later realized the place was just two big for three people. Later in January 2019, Ashlee moved to Fort Collins. Rather than jumping into a lease unseen, she asked her friend who lived there, Paul, if she would be able to stay at his place for a few weeks. A few days later, Ashlee arrives to Paul's place, which happened to be a 5,000 sq. foot mansion with a number of other roommates. And you guessed it, Cody was one of them!

Words are not the proper tool to use when trying to describe the feeling during this momentous moment. The plan was set, go to Mexico, bring friends, propose on the beach… Simple right? 4 days in and a flight the next morning, it still had not happened. After an amazing morning of snorkeling, we aimlessly stumbled into an empty beach front restaurant. Sitting within feet of crashing waves and no one around I blurt out my code phrase to the group, “do you think we will see any dolphins today”, silence and tension ran through everyone other than Ashlee (Code phrase meant proposal was happening soon). A simple “Ashlee, let’s get a photo on the beach” got us alone together. A quick knee down and ring out behind her back gave way to her utter shock that yes, I was proposing. Not sure how she was that surprised but, in the end, it truly was a picture-perfect moment that the entire group of us will remember forever. P.S. the staff and food at this random restaurant, La Lunita, could not have been better. - Cody Thompson