Once upon a time in the middle of a pandemic, two people met in a grocery store parking lot in Munising, MI. It was a cold day in December when the two didn't heed the advice of TLC and chased waterfalls. Paige wasn't thrilled about third wheelin' but was won over by french fries and fetch in a snowy parking lot at Miner's Beach. Because everything was shut down, we enjoyed a burger and beer in the car, checked out some waterfalls and hiked snow-covered trails, and talked...for hours. I think we both believed that if we could make the most of a date in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of a shutdown, we could make the most of anything. And, I think it's safe to say...we have!

Not only did we fall in love (the ooey-gooey, love at first sight kind of thing), but we are doing the whole lovin' on a Tuesday thing. Chelsea moved to the Soo, we added another sassy ball of fur to the family, camped and hiked and fished and biked, and everything in between. We have game nights with a glass of wine, we take walks in the woods talking about the future, we cook meals and chat about our day...we're doing the whole livin' the simple, beautiful life together thing. We think it's important to share that part of our story too. Forever is lookin' pretty good.

The scene is set. It's a beautiful August day on Lake Superior, with loved ones together enjoying the sunshine, the beach, and the beautiful blue water. Chelsea is completely oblivious to what everyone else is scheming. Brian asks her to step away from the group and see if she can help him identify something out on the water. Still unaware of what's happening she blindly follows. And just like that, Brian is down on one knee, talking about how he couldn't wait another second to ask her to be his wife and spend forever together. Chelsea is ugly crying, crazy dogs come running to them, and her parents show up just in time to see the whole proposal. It couldn't have been more perfect. And, to top it all off, we got a chainsaw salute when the answer was "YES!" What makes the moment even better was only weeks prior, the last words Chelsea's grandfather told her before he passed were that he "just wanted to see her get the ring, the wedding, and the guy..." The moment was incredibly precious to have happened when it did and the thought and love that Brian put into it. It was filled with a lot of love surrounded by friends and family.

With Brian being in the Coast Guard, that means our lives are a constant adventure. Every three years, we get to call somewhere new "home." Not only are we getting married, but we're moving across the country. Our honeymoon is going to be a car full of our belongings, our two furry adventure pals, and the open road on the way to our new home. We will officially be relocating to Virginia after the wedding!