Madeline and Benjamin first made contact traveling in Europe and haven't stopped going on trips and adventures since.

Together they have camped in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, walked under Niagara Falls on the more scenic Canadian side and braved mountain passes on the way to the coast of Oregon.

Their first date was at an unassuming coffee shop in downtown Boise the first day back from Europe. They fought through jet lag and first date jitters to connect over their shared love on history, skiing and water bottle stickers (an Air Force tactical platypus and Idaho fish and game parachuting beavers). They agreed to a second date and exchanged pictures of favorite stickers found on their journeys.

After Ben took a trip to Fort George G. Meade for Air Force training and Maddy returned from a trip home they went on a three day blitz including eating at a local Idaho brewery, rock climbing and skiing at Bogus Basin.

Unfortunately, Ben ran out of talent on the ski hill and, for the first but not last time, Maddy had to stop herself from laughing as she helped him off the ground.

Maddy and Ben felt their bond growing over the next few months as they learned more about each other and spent more time together.

February was the month that they declared they loved each other for the very first time. After a long pause where nobody was sure if they should say the big three words, Maddy said "I love you" first.

Approximately 30 minutes later, Maddy crashed on her skis and broke her leg leading to the first health challenge they needed to face together. Unfortunately, it would not be the last, but they still fondly look back at the day they spoke their love for each other.

To be continued...