A long time ago... In a world far far away..... (peep the Star Wars reference for Ian) There were nothing more than two families who bonded on fun adventures thanks to their fathers (skiing, camping, good food.... You get the point). 4 kids just along for the ride. Ian being Kobe's (Riley's Brother) buddy and Riley being Reghan's (Ian's Sister) friend. Lots of long car rides, campfire, ski boots, and a lost phone all memories made together throughout the years. Fast forward to August 2013, Ian's senior year and Riley's junior year of high school, it had been a while since Ian had come around the family bonding events, but Will & Karen's wedding came around. Riley and Ian got to reconnect, and Ian asked Riley to dance. In true Riley fashion, the response was "maybe later". Well later never came, but numbers were exchanged, and a great night was had. Riley sent an apology the next morning for not dancing with him, and the conversation has never stopped. Almost a month of back and forth, on Sept 22, there was a (secret) first date. At Valley Fair mall, in true teen fashion. Because one of these two is uber practical and wanted to make sure that this was going to be worth it if you are going to start dating your Dad's Best Friend's kid and turn everyone's feelings on its side. First date went well, lots of laughing and chatting and conclusion was made that this was something special. The first announced date was Ian's Senior Homecoming that October and truly the rest is history.

Most of you know the middle. Ian graduated high school, went off to college to play golf in Arizona, ended up coming back, and Riley graduated high school then went off to college in Arizona. Ian followed and they spent 6 years out there in the heat enjoying the sunshine and figuring out the quarks of growing up. Still, plenty of camping and adventures were had including adding a pup to the roster. Their beloved and spoiled pup, who has been a bright spot on a bad day and an adventure all itself. In 2020, Riley, Ian, and Lucky moved to Colorado which is now where they call home. Just how their relationship started, its full of skiing, camping, hiking, and now paddleboarding. Mostly at their favorite part of the area, Dillon, Colorado.

I had been planning on this for awhile but it took shape rather quickly once I consulted one of Riley’s best friends. It started when I sent Cat, her now maid of honor, a photo of the ring. Being the best friend she is, she was immediately ecstatic. I started planning it out and chose Garden of the Gods because that was one of the first adventures we did when we moved to Colorado. It was also important to me that we could share the day with our closest friends. We booked Cat’s travel, and I looped in our Colorado family. Even though I knew she’d say yes, and it had been a long time coming, I was naturally a nervous wreck because I wanted the day to be perfect. On 04/14/24, we took a drive like we always do, and I surprised her with a walk up Balanced Rock. I popped the question (while almost walking into a mountain biker), and she was so happy! She said yes! Cat was there to capture it all, and once Riley saw her, she couldn’t believe it! After some time to take it in, all our friends surprised her too! We then enjoyed the rest of the day taking it all in at one of our favorite places.