Some love stories begin in familiar places—through friends, in a hometown café, or at a favorite park. Ours began in the heart of the wild.

We met in 2022 in Denali National Park and Preserve, where the mountains stretched endlessly, and the midnight sun refused to set. Under its golden glow, we fell in love—laughing through long summer days, sharing quiet moments under vast Alaskan skies, and discovering that the wilderness had brought us together for a reason.

Our love was tested and strengthened by the challenges of life in the Last Frontier. Together, we endured the extremes—living in a dry cabin through bitter cold, navigating wildfires, and facing -60-degree nights that made even the warmest embrace feel fleeting. But through every hardship, we found adventure, resilience, and each other. Whether trekking through alpine valleys with heavy packs or gliding through fresh snow on skis, every mile brought us closer, proving that love—like the mountains—only grows stronger with time.

Though Alaska brought us together, our love for the outdoors was rooted in childhood. Chris grew up in Riverton, New Jersey, and Emily in Darnestown, Maryland—just a few hours apart but shaped by landscapes that nurtured the same adventurous spirit. Summers for Chris meant fishing, birding, and kayaking at his family’s lake house in Massachusetts, while Emily spent hers crabbing, fishing, and exploring the Chesapeake Bay. Our shared connection to nature led us both to Denali for work, and ultimately, to each other.

Now, as we prepare for a lifetime of adventure together, we can’t wait to celebrate with the people who have shaped our journey. Thank you for being part of our story—past, present, and future.

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