They met on the first day of undergrad at UNCA. Madison saw Ben run across the quad and was immediately intrigued by his bright yellow short-shorts and delicate ankles. She showed up late (of course) to freshman seminar (called entrepreneurship in chemistry... only at Asheville) and the only seat available was next to the cutie in the yellow shorts. They hit it off immediately (read: Madison annoyed Ben who was actually trying to focus on the lecture), and after class she asked if he wanted to be best friends to which he responded, "No, you seem very weird." But persist she did, and best friends they became, which is still true, ten years into their relationship.

To set the scene: It's a bright and sunny (and extremely humid) Thursday in St. John, USVI. Madison should have been suspicious from the start because it was the first time Ben had willingly made decisions and planned an entire day... *and* packed the exploring backpack. They spent the first part of the day snorkeling, Madison incurring a sunburn within seconds of seeing sunlight. When it was time for lunch, these hipster trash, Yelp devotees wanted to avoid tourist traps and try something off the beaten path. Turns out, the path beat them. A quick two-mile walk to a restaurant across the island somehow turned into a grueling hike summiting over 900 feet in elevation in the 90% humidity, brutal sun, with only one water bottle. There were many, many moments Madison thought she would go down and need to be airlifted out of this wilderness trek. Finally, at the restaurant, they replenished (Madison chugs 8 jugs of water). But when it was time to head back to the beach, the dire extent of their hardship came to light: no taxis frequent that side of the island. Facing a repeat hike back the way they came, death was a tempting choice. But, alas, an angel appeared in the form of an elderly aged man named Kenneth driving an open-air van. They calmly flagged him down (Madison propelled her weak body in front of his moving vehicle) and explained their situation. Kenneth, miracle he is, explained that he's already taking a family on a private sight-seeing tour (we turn and wave to the family of three staring at our sweaty, deranged forms) but for ten bucks, he'd drop us at a beach. Which is how Madison and Ben ended up on what was a very fun and informative traipse through the national park. Finally at the beach, and promising to name their first born or next cat after their rescuer, they get back to snorkeling. Yet, around 4pm, Ben says something truly horrifying: There's a really cool nearby hike he wanted to check out before sunset and heading to dinner. Madison stared in disbelief, nay, horror, at the love of her life. Another hike? When the first almost killed us? But love is about compromise (sacrifice) and Madison looked at her partner, a man that doesn't often ask her for much, and begrudgingly agreed to one more hike (with the caveat margaritas would be on Ben that night). At the top of Peace Hill, overlooking the stunning blue ocean, Madison got instantly distracted by a really colorful and massive caterpillar. Ben gently redirected Madison's attention to the picturesque windmill ruins made of crumbling stone. "I have an idea," Ben said. "Let's write down some wishes and stick them between the stones." Madison, eager to get back to her caterpillar friend, quickly scribbled something and stuck it between some rocks. But Ben took his time, hemming and hawing about where to place his wish. Madison, gentle creature she is, grabbed it and said, "This spot looks good!" shoving it down a large hole in the structure and placing a loose rock over it for good measure. Ben, sweetly, yelped and pushed her out of the way, retrieving his wish. "Would you check it for spelling first?" he asked. Madison: "What? No. It's a wish. I can't see it or it won't come true." Ben: "Just check it please!" (aggressive) Unfolding the now worse for wear slip of paper, she read the words "I hope Madison says yes," and looked up to find Ben on one knee. She said, yes, obviously, because this is a wedding website and this would be quite the production just to let you all know she turned him down. It was awesome.