In August of 2020, two of Laurel and Daniel's best friends, Kaitlyn and Travis, were getting married. Laurel flew into Portland for the wedding from Austin, TX, while Daniel flew in from SLC, Utah. It was a small, intimate wedding due to covid restrictions, and Laurel and Daniel were both in the wedding party. After the ceremony, they found themselves locking eyes while conversing in a group of friends. A connection was sparked, and they ended talking late into the night about all the things they cared about - nature, family, and wanting to live according to their values. They both felt drawn to one another. But they knew that in the morning, they would both be flying home.

After the wedding, Daniel and Laurel kept in touch. In September, Laurel flew to visit Daniel in Salt Lake City, where he had planned a weekend-long camping trip through southern Utah. It was a romantic whirlwind, and Laurel was blown away! She had a feeling there would be many more adventures in their future.

Just a short month later, Daniel flew down to visit Laurel. It was a pretty good set up, other than the cost of airfare, since they lived in two of the most fun cities for adventurous people!

Fast forward a year and a half! (It did not go by quickly - as anyone who has done long-distance knows, it is very hard.) In the spring of 2022, Laurel made the decision to leave her job as a classroom teacher and was able to land an amazing sales role where she could work remotely. This allowed her to move up to Salt Lake City and finally move in with Daniel, a plan they had been working on over the last 18 months. During their time in Utah, they went on many camping and hiking adventures, formed new friendships, and made plans for their future.

The end goal for Laurel and Daniel (in this phase of life, at least) was always to move to Eastern Oregon and buy a house where they could live out their homesteading dreams, and start their family. In 2023, they were finally able to do so. They moved to La Grande, Oregon, near where Daniel grew up. They wanted to be close to family, and although Laurel's family is 5 hours away, this is the closest she has lived to them since she left for college! They were also excited about a slower pace of life in a small town. They bought a house at the end of the year, and got to work on a VERY intensive remodel.

2024 was spent reviving their home, which was originally built in 1890! Daniel and his dad John tore it down to the joists and worked their way up from there. They did almost everything themselves (new electric, plumbing, flooring, sheetrock, paint, flooring, and appliances). If you're able to come over during the wedding weekend, you'll see all the work they've done. Laurel is incredibly proud of Daniel!

Daniel proposed to Laurel at his favorite waterfall in the Eagle Cap Wilderness near their home. And she said yes! And now their beautiful friends and family are joining them for their special day. Life is good.