We decided to each write "Our Story" without showing the other...enjoy!

When I think back on our love story, I think about the improbability of the whole situation. I was all set to move away to Hawaii forever and make a life there completely separate from what I’d known in Texas. My suitcase was packed, plane ticket purchased, car set for shipment across the ocean; I was practically already gone. But first, I had a girl’s trip with my best friend Caitlin. I wanted to show her Big Bend: an absolutely magical place where I used to go with my family and, as an adult, always lead me to introspection and enlightenment.

Caitlin and I made the drive to the desert to spend an incredible night under the stars in a huge, clear bubble. We made a campfire, ate dinner at the one open restaurant in town – Starlight Theater, went on a horseback trail ride and just had a blast! It was a such a great time together bonding before I moved. On our second day, we decide to hike the Lost Mines Trail on the way down to the basin of Big Bend. We parked the car and noticed the bear box. I told Caitlin that last time I was there I encountered three bears! As we were discussing this and working towards the trail head, someone caught my eye. Actually, two someones. I saw two men getting out of a big white pick-up truck and one in particular was very attractive to me. I thought that perhaps I could setup Caitlin since I knew that I was not looking for a relationship. But we made eye contact for just a moment and I felt a giddy little thrill.

We started out on the trail and were taking in so much beautiful scenery and laughing about running into wildlife. Caitlin and I stopped at a vista to take photos of the lovely expanse of mountains and sky. It was truly breathtaking. About this time, the two slowpokes from the truck caught up to us. One of the guys said, ‘I’m going to take a picture,’ and I in my sassiness said, ‘don’t you mean a thousand?’ he continued on and didn’t even acknowledge my remark, but his friend did. I made conversation with the other guy and enjoyed his witty responses. Shortly after our conversation, Caitlin and I continued on the trail.

Then we met up with the two hikers again and this time we talked about using the All Trails app and I said, ‘okay, we can be friends,’ because this guy was obviously an adventurer. At this point, we started hiking together as a group of four. I couldn’t even tell you what all we had talked about, but I definitely remembered checking out my future fiancé’s butt as he was hiking in front of me. Before we reached the summit, the guys broke off a bit and hiked by themselves. I suggested to Caitlin that we should invite them to the Starlight Theater tonight for dinner because we wanted to return for their tasty food. However, when we reached the summit and found the two again, they were screaming at each other! They were literally in a yelling argument with each other! I thought to myself, ‘geez, dodged that bullet!’ and we left the trail. We didn’t exchange numbers and I just simply knew them as Jordan and Alex.

That night Caitlin and I went to sleep in our epic bubble, just as the night before. About an hour after we went to sleep a nasty windstorm blew through the desert and our bubble began to shake violently. We were both startled awake by a convulsing bubble as the wind slapped it up and down. We called the property manager and tried to get another place to stay- no luck. We contemplated sleeping in the car but there was a deep uneasiness that told me we needed to leave. We packed up all of our stuff well after midnight and lugged it across the somewhat treacherous granite path to the car. We got in the car with the wind still howling and I turned to Caitlin and said, ‘I don’t know why but something tells me there is a reason we are leaving.’ We drove over an hour to the nearest hotel we could book.

So the intrepid little explorers we are, Caitlin and I completely revamped our schedule for the day because it would require almost two hours back to the basin. We decided to explore the town of Marfa and take in some local culture. We perused the stores, found a place that sold Yerba Matte and walked around taking photos. We rounded a block and were heading towards the main road when we saw a big white pickup truck park. The two guys from the hike hopped out. Caitlin spotted them and said something adorable about running into them again. Alex said something like ‘you’ve gotta be shitting me,’ or something equally as chivalrous.

We started walking around the city with them exploring shops and art galleries, then decided to get some food together. We found a nice restaurant where a wedding was taking place through the glass doors to the terrace. Our food came out and we talked about our lives. I remember deciding to be brutally honest with them. I told them I had just gotten out of my marriage the previous year. I told them I was completely redoing my life and moving to Hawaii. I remember the freedom of being vulnerable with these strangers. Alex told me about his involvement with MARC, which really piqued my interest. He wasn’t the typical guy. He was thoughtful and engaging. And then for the next kicker- Alex and Jordan were going to the Star Party at the McDonald Observatory, which Caitlin and I were also attending that evening. This time we did exchange phone numbers and started a group text message as we drove in tandem to the observatory. On our way to the party, Caitlin and I got pulled over because my paper license plate was flapping in the wind. This caused us to split up from them and we were worried with the lack of cell phone service that we wouldn’t be able to connect at the party.

Even though it was literally pitch black out and there was a huge crowd, Caitlin spotted them right away. I was happy to sit next to Alex and even more happy for an excuse to sit very close to him because it was freezing outside! Caitlin went and got blankets from the car to wrap around us because it was literally the arctic tundra. I shared my blanket with Alex as we gazed up at the stars. I was giddy because our thighs were touching.

We talked until the observatory closed and then begrudgingly parted ways. I couldn’t explain it at the time, but I just did not want to leave him. I didn’t want to be apart from him.

Later that night Alex texted me about a song that we had discussed and struck up a conversation. Although I thought it wouldn’t happen, I told Alex that tomorrow Caitlin and I were going to hike the Window trail and invited him to join us even though he had just driven back to Midland. But he agreed to drive back down and meet us. I tried to play it cool, but I was very excited and anxious to see him again.

Caitlin and I hiked the Ernst Tinaja Trail (one that Alex had recommended) and headed back to the basin to meet Alex. Unsurprisingly, we were running late, and I had no reception to call him. I was so worried that he was going to think we had stood him up or that he was going to give up and leave. We pulled up and I was scanning the parking lot for him. Found him! I went over and gave him a hug. We all geared up and set out on the trail. It was such a nice hike, perfectly breezy and we talked the whole way. We arrived at the Window a few minutes before sunset. I challenged the group, now including a friend we had made along the trail, to hike up the ridge to view the sunset. We all perched on the rocks and gazed across the desert at the golden setting sun.

We hiked back up and ate dinner at the lodge. That night there was a total lunar eclipse, also known as a Super Blood Wolf Moon on January 20th. We did our best to make the back of Alex’s truck a comfy viewing zone, but it was freezing! Caitlin, being the best wing woman of all time, left Alex and I to enjoy this completely magical moment. I think we both knew that it was something really special, once in a life-time special. That night we shared our first kiss. It was such a romantic whirlwind of an adventure and I had no idea where it would lead.

We crossed half the continent together, chased each other back and forth across the ocean, surprised each other, drove each other crazy, dared to let ourselves fall deeply in love and finally agreed that we wanted to build our whole life together. I can say with certainty, my journey did not go according to plan and I am so thankful that I followed my heart.

Alex, I promise you a life of adventure, abundance, and above all, love. Thank you for loving me better than my wildest dreams.

XO, your future wife