We met on our first day of work for the Conservation Corps in Ames. We were placed on the same field crew. He was wearing a Hawkeyes sweatshirt, and I was wearing a Cyclones sweatshirt. We managed to get past that somehow--for the most part--and started dating a few years later. And here we are today!

Derek and I went on vacation to Oregon. We got up early one day, got some pastries from a local bakery, and hiked to Short Sand Beach, just south of the town of Cannon Beach. The trail went through an old-growth forest, alongside a creek, and came out on the beach. We got lost a couple times on the way, but we made it in the end! The beach was on a secluded cove on the ocean, and we had it all to ourselves. There was even a tiny waterfall off to the side. We were roaming the beach looking for cool rocks and shells when Derek kneeled down and popped the question. I was completely surprised, and it was perfect!