A: It started just like any other fairytale…redownloading Tinder for the fifth (or sixth) time. We were both relatively new to Colorado and looking for friendship or ideally a love interest, and Tinder had become the new way to meet people. I almost skipped out on our first date because, long story short, I was sick of going on disappointing dates. I couldn’t be more grateful that I showed up to the brewery that day.

A: I think what makes our relationship special is the level of appreciation we have for each other, and the very small things in life.  Always thanking each other for doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, or going grocery shopping when it’s clearly the other person’s turn (but they have had a long day) is something I really cherish in my relationship. I pull him out of his shell and we go to events we probably wouldn’t have before (like sitting in the VIP front row at the rodeo), and he pulls me in and makes me appreciate Netflix and board game night at home more than ever.

A: I knew very early on, we’re talking a month into dating, that I loved him! When I really knew he was “the one” was about a month after that. We went to a secluded cabin in Del Norte, CO that was nicknamed “The Hobbit Hut” (and for a good reason). We listened to the Eagles on the record player, did nerdy puzzles, had way too many craft beers, and sat in front of the fire telling stupid stories all night. It may seem cheesy, but it was probably one of the best times of my life (up until then, it’s only gotten better since!).

A: We had talked about getting married for a while and had went to look at rings once prior. I knew that he had the ring (he also can’t keep a secret) a couple weeks before and knew that it had to be coming soon. He came up to me at the gym and asked me if I would go to his company picnic with him that Friday from 2-4pm. Let me just preface with I am a night shift nurse. That Friday started my streak of 5 twelve hour overnight shifts in a row before we went out of town. I asked him if it was really important to him that I come and he responded with “it would really mean a lot to me!”. I immediately knew that there was no company picnic. That Thursday night we were in our pajamas on the couch around 7pm and I wanted to test the waters. I said “man, I REALLY wish that company picnic was today and not tomorrow”. He immediately jumped up, told me to get our dog George and we were gunna go on a walk. I knew then that I had made a mistake with no makeup on, hair a mess, and my led zeppelin pajama shirt on. He drove us out to this beautiful spot in Castle Pines overlooking the mountain range and told me he never wanted to enjoy a view like that without me again. It was perfect, and we joke that it happened exactly how it should have for us (my yellow rain boots and all). I later found out he picked Friday as it was the only sunny day for a picnic (just for us, not the company) we had had in Denver for like two weeks….whoops!

A: I often get compliments on my gorgeous ring, and it is NOT because I have model ring wearing hands. When we went to try on rings at the mall we liked several options, but none of them seemed exactly right. We found The Diamond Reserve on Yelp (highly recommend) run by two women who make custom rings where you also handpick the diamonds for it. Steve went this route (I did not assist in any part of that process), and he raves about how fun it was to learn everything about the process and getting to choose the stones himself.  He did a phenomenal job!

A: Those who know me know that I LOVE planning trips and parties; it is my bread and butter. This is obviously the most important party I have had to put together before, but we can’t go wrong with lots of food and booze and our dance moves (and air guitar skills). We just picked out our venue in downtown Denver at the Denver Athletic Club and couldn’t be more excited! The rooftop venue in the middle of downtown will be a blast, and it’s perfect as most of our guests are coming from out of town.