Ruthie “Georgia Peach” Flowers and Tyler “Connecticut Yankee” Gabrielson met in the summer of 2015. The two were both at the staff training for Moondance Adventures in western North Carolina. Looking back on that summer, we don’t believe there could be a better place to meet your future spouse. With no cell phone service, no alcohol, and little inhibitions, there was nothing to be other than one’s self. That said, the two did not fall head over heels for one another immediately. Tyler might’ve been too shy. Ruthie might’ve mentioned her food instagram (@collegegirleats). Instead, they became fast friends. The summer ended. Ruthie went on to finish her senior year at UGA and Tyler went off to start his freshman year of ski bumming. The two were thrilled when they found out that the other would both be returning to lead trips for another summer in 2016. And yes, this would be the summer of love for the two. There was something about Ruthie’s endless energy, ideas for restaurants, abounding laughter, or just her smile that caught my eye. In a room of 100 big personalities, she somehow shined the brightest to me. Tyler shed his quiet demeanor from the previous summer, and found a way to be endearingly goofy in a way that somehow struck a chord in Ruthie’s heart. The two fell in love in the summer of 2016, joining the ranks of dozens of couples created through the bond of Moondance Adventures. From here, they both enjoyed living in the same state of Colorado for five glorious and formative years. For their friends, roommates, and onlookers, they might’ve gotten a glimpse of the true couple when Tyler visited Ruthie and her friends for Halloween and dressed as the female singer Lorde. Ruthie, equally the joker, dressed as the red sweater wearing, undecided voter Ken Bone. It was undeniable- the crossdressing couple might just be on to something special. Fast forwarding to the near present. The two moved to New Orleans in July of 2021 when Tyler started medical school at Tulane. If life is a series of trade offs, we traded the physical topography of Colorado for the cultural landscape of a city unlike any other. But really, we traded leaving a vibrant city, full of best friends, for a chance to grow closer to one another. And grow closer to one another we did! Through hurricanes, bed bugs, Mardi Gras, final exams, and everything else in between, the two grew closer. So, after six years of dating, it was about time we got engaged! On Easter weekend, Tyler popped the question on Ruthie’s family’s farm. We thank you all for making the time in your schedules to come to our special place called Columbus, Georgia. We know the time, energy, and money it takes to attend weddings these days. With that said, we can promise you all a unique and joyous celebration of our love. - Tyler and Ruthie