Decked out in a Leo Messi jersey and face paint, I was hyper-focused on the big screen TV at Bar Of America in downtown Truckee watching the 2014 World Cup semi-final. Joe sat on the right side of the L-shaped bar, I noticed him immediately but he was sitting with another woman. I tried to stay focused on the game but couldn't help myself, I leaned to our mutual friend and asked "who's that and who's he with?" She said "That's Joe and they're just friends." PHEWW! I can go back to watching the game and deal with that handsome situation later... Our mutual friend was Katie Hartesveldt and we owe this party to her! The next few weeks of summer she was mine and Joe's excuse to run into each other at the beach, at happy hours, and wherever else Katie would invite us both. We drank Mango-Rita's and got to know one another, the butterflies were out in force! About a month later came my family's annual trip to Santa Cruz. I invited Joe but we hadn't "defined" our relationship yet so I wasn't sure he'd go for a full family vacation complete with my older brothers and their wives... But to my surprise he drove all night after getting off work late and arrived to the beach house at 4am! He made pitchers of strawberry basil margaritas, we played beach volleyball (he learned of the Hutter competitive spirit!) and we paddle boarded with dolphins swimming directly around us, it was nothing short of magical. We also had a quick chat about being "boyfriend & girlfriend" sitting on the same exact spot on the beach where 5 years later he would propose to me! Joe and I have learned so much about ourselves and each other over the years. We survived long distance while I was in graduate school, Joe recently went back to school for an upcoming career change, we are navigating puppy parenthood, and just bought our first condo! Our dreams are coming true and getting to do it together is the best part. He is my dream come true. I cannot wait to marry Joseph Cross!