Like many millenials, we met on a popular dating app (Hinge) which felt like a total shot in the dark during a bleak time for dating or "finding the one." However, we managed to find our proverbial "needle in a haystack" and began dating in January of 2021. Our first date was at the Santa Maria Brewing Company (which is not exactly the environment that inspires much romance), but we managed to close the place down and spend an additional 2 hours in the freezing cold parking lot continuing to talk. Our second date followed suit and was even longer...six hours! From music to travels to books we've pretended we've read, we both quickly found something special in our time together and knew this was only the beginning.

Our day-to-day lives are like most - we enjoy each other's company through hikes with our dogs, working out together, dinners cooked at home, and of course binging TV shows and movies (actually, James falls asleep almost instantly, so this is mostly a Gabbi activity). We have, however, made it a point to prioritize experiences that challenge us and allow us to "put ourselves in the way of beauty" through regularly exploring the beautiful area we live in, and also venturing out and discover new destinations to enjoy. So far, we've backpacked the Trinity Alps in the Shasta Wilderness, gallivanted through Yosemite National Park, enjoyed Boston (James went to his first professional basketball game here!), walked the beaches of Cabo, spent time in the mountains of Sequoia National Park, camped at Big Sur, swam in alpine lakes in Mammoth Lakes, and snowboarded Mammoth Mountain. We plan on continuing a lifestyle filled with beauty and adventure - together.