In March of 2015, Dylan decided to go on an adventure and move to Winchester, Virginia. Three months later, Hannah did the same - but they didn't know each other. Hannah and Dylan first met in Winchester at their workplace, but it was a bit more serendipitous than just working together! Both from Northeast Ohio, they studied at colleges only an hour apart, majored in similar subjects, attended the same internship at different times, even had mutual friends, and ultimately moved to Winchester to work for the same company. They became fast friends through group game nights, but their friends saw their undeniable chemistry and knew they would end up together. A year later, they finally did! Since then, they have been bringing each other laughter and joy through hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains, going to concerts, playing Dungeons & Dragons, expanding their cooking repertoire, camping, learning new instruments, attending Renaissance faires, traveling the country, learning to juggle, playing paintball, relaxing at Rehoboth Beach, and countless other adventures. Together, they make a strong team navigating the world.

To celebrate the peak of springtime on the first day of May in 2021, Hannah and Dylan planned a long weekend of camping, hiking, falconry, and campfires in Luray, Virginia. The weather did not have the same plans. Through the first night, a howling wind poured down the nearby mountain into the Shenandoah Valley, pushing their tent to a 45 degree angle. Rain chilled them to the bone and the campfire would not light. It wasn't until the next morning that they had some respite. The sun broke and warmed up the valley. Hannah and Dylan began the day hiking in the sunshine and later set off to visit a falconer for a one-day lesson. The falconer amazed them with all of her beautiful birds and then let them fly Bubbles, a stunning lanner falcon, and Aurora, a young and adorable but giant Eurasian eagle-owl. At the end of the day, Hannah and Dylan returned to the campsite, wide-eyed and filled with awe from the incredible raptors. They finally lit a fire, ate dinner, and enjoyed some s'mores. While they relaxed next to the fire, Dylan reached for the box he had hidden in his pocket the whole weekend, knelt down, and proposed to Hannah. She, of course, accepted with glee!

For many reasons including eagerness and the pandemic's unpredictability, Hannah and Dylan decided to get officially married on September 5th, 2021. They were handfasted in ancient Celtic tradition, Great Kilt and all, among family and close friends. Handfasting is a historical tradition practiced both before and during Christian times in which the hands are tied together by a cord to symbolize the binding of two lives. Hannah and Dylan used four homemade cords for their handfasting, representing Light, Life, Love, and Liberty. Celebrations followed with feasting, playing music, and mingling around a bonfire, all surrounded by the beauty of nature. It was a magical time!

Now that the pandemic is slowing down, Hannah and Dylan want to celebrate with all of their friends and family! They're a pair of modern hobbits on the inside; they love the homey, carefree, food-loving life of the Shire. So, naturally, they are throwing a Shire-inspired wedding and reception (from The Lord of the Rings), or a "Shire Shindig," if you will! The wedding ceremony will come first with a vow renewal and unity ceremony. After that, enjoy a truly delicious farm-to-table feast fit for hobbits and jaunty live Celtic music! They are so excited to transport everyone to Middle-Earth for a day and celebrate with you!