Makenzie and Neil met while the two were living in Utah. Makenzie was living in Salt Lake City at the time and had just quit her job at Petzl to work for her family business, Remonov, based in her hometown of Edwards, Colorado. Neil was living with friends in Park City, training to be a skeleton racer and working as a framer. He had just returned from a year-long sailing trip that took him from Southeast Asia through the Northwest Passage, and ended in Amsterdam. They went on their first date on February 25, 2019. What was supposed to be a short meetup at the rock-climbing gym, turned into a multi-hour adventure with acro-yoga (Makenzie's favorite hobby), dessert first at Normal Ice Cream, and dinner at a Nepalese restaurant. Needless to say the two bonded over being up for anything. Even though the two met online, they quickly learned that their families had many connections. Makenzie was coaching Neil's cousin Mike and her best friend Danielle some dance lifts for an upcoming gala that Makenzie and Neil would attend together. Makenzie's family was friends with some of Neil's family, both who live in Vail, and Neil and his sister and parents even lived in Edwards for a while. What a coincidence!

Their second date was only a week later when Neil spontaneously joined Makenzie in Potrero Chico, Mexico for a friend's mountainous wedding. Only six weeks later the two moved in together in Salt Lake City. After a few months of being together almost non-stop, the two said "I love you" on April 16, 2019 over a picnic at Dead Horse Point in Moab and a month after that, the two moved to boulder. Six months later the two moved to Vail, Colorado to be closer to Makenzie's family business. Luckily, Neil always wanted to live in a ski town and this was the perfect excuse! On May 4th, 2021 they bought their first and current home together. Moving is not the only thing that has kept their relationship exciting. Makenzie and Neil also share a love for travel and people. The two have been all over the world together. In a few short years, the two have been to Oaxaca, Cozumel, Mexico City, Zermatt, Lech, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Washington, New Mexico, Minnesota, and more. When the two aren't traveling together, they are often hosting friends or meeting them out on the town. As both are extroverts, they love to spend their time with the people they love.

The proposal day started out like most any other, except the fact that it was Thanksgiving. Neil and Makenzie were in charge of bringing the stuffing and a pie so the two spent the day sharing the kitchen, as they often do when they cook together. That afternoon, the two went to Makenzie's parents house where the four of them had a quiet evening of football and eating planned. The table was set, everyone sat down to eat, and Neil asked everyone at the table what they were grateful for. Rick started and he was thankful to spend time with family, Rita went next and was thankful for everyone's health, Makenzie can't remember what she was thankful for but it was probably the mashed potatoes. Then it was Neil's turn. He turned the chair to Makenzie and she instantly knew what was about to happen, filling her eyes with tears. But Makenzie remembers exactly what Neil said. He said, "I am thankful for a lot of things, but I am thankful that I found my best friend. I am thankful that if I could trade anything in my life to have gone differently, I would chose not to do so because everything in my life has led me to you. And I am thankful that I have the opportunity to ask you to marry me. Makenzie, will you marry me?" She said YES, and asked if he would marry her back! It was a total surprise and Neil was so sweet to include Rick and Rita. It was also good because Neil had asked for permission in August and Rick was starting to worry he had changed his mind. The only person who knew he planned to ask was his mom, Nancy who the two quickly called to share the news. That weekend continued to be incredibly special. Neil and Makenzie got to share the news in person later that evening with Makenzie's best friend's family, Neil's sister and family the next day, his cousins that weekend, and even attended a Broncos and Avs game that weekend. Everyone won that weekend, including both sports teams. With so much excitement, the two didn't stop celebrating their new engagement until well into the new year!

The best day(s) are yet to come. Whether or not Makenzie and Neil will be able to share their special day with you, know that you are loved by the both of them for all that you have contributed to their lives and their relationship. Thank you for being a part of it all.