2020 was a difficult year.

Gabbie was finishing up her Masters in Social Work at University of Chicago when the world shut down. She spent six weeks confined to her apartment, alone, when it was finally announced that her program would finish completely virtually and her graduation ceremony would be live-streamed over YouTube. Her mom, Robin, and Aunt Sandy immediately hired a moving company, rented a car, and came to her rescue. If it weren't for COVID, she may have never left Chicago, and may have never met Alex.

ALEX PUTS IN HIS OWN SNIPPET HERE.

In September of 2020, Gabbie and Alex found themselves on Tinder. How else were people supposed to meet someone in a pandemic? They didn't believe either of them really intended to find anything "special." Moreso, they were lonely in a pandemic-stricken world and looking for outlets that they could no longer find by, say, going to a show or a bar where people were encouraged to remain 6 feet apart.

After a night of Gabbie watching a true-crime gem, The Staircase, and sharing her play-by-play with Alex over text while giggling hysterically about The Owl Theory (if you know, you know), Alex and Gabbie agreed to meet face to face. They later bonded over shows like My Strange Addiction, Alone, Naked and Afraid, and other shows that had them slightly convinced that maybe they weren't as insane as the people on TV. It was an instant connection, and instant feeling of safety and comfortability, and whatever else it means when things just feel "right."

Their relationship went through some crazy highs and lows. In July of 2021, Gabbie helped Alex move out of the infamous Rockrimmon House (again, if you know you know) and into her apartment in Woodland Park. One day after Alex and Gabbie moved in together, Gabbie was in a severe car accident while Alex was following in his own car behind her. Alex laid on her hand and foot while she recovered, giving her a pillow and a blanket and sitting on the bathroom floor with her when the pain killers made her too nauseous. When the doctors told her that she would never feel better until she got up and moving, he planned a creek-side picnic to get her out of the house.

Shortly after, Gabbie's dear cat Quincey was once again diagnosed with congenital heart failure. Alex accompanied Gabbie to every vet visit, even the several that were in Fort Collins, and assisted with giving Quincey his required meds three times a day. He had his own experience with sick animals growing up. He went with her to say goodbye to Quincey when he, unfortunately, didn't make it through his surgery. He stayed up with her every night, and held her as long is it took until she would finally fall asleep from crying.

After their 'trial period' of living together, they went through the seemingly impossible process of finding a new place to live, together. Somewhere the two of them could call home with Gabbie's second cat, Salem. Shortly after, they adopted the love of their lives, Hazel.

In three years, Gabbie has had four jobs. Alex never questioned her decisions to move on to better opportunities, and never held her back. He celebrated every new job and every new promotion on the way. He helped her study for her Licensed Clinical Social Work exam, and ran her bubble baths when things just became too stressful.

Meanwhile, Gabbie attended every show she possibly could to support him and his band. She manned his merch tables, she helped create T-shirts, and (unsurprisingly) was one of his band's top listeners on Spotify for three years straight.

Alex introduced Gabbie to movies she'd never seen like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Shawshank Redemption, and... well, you know, literally any other classic ever, because Gabbie had seemingly been living under a rock for 27 years.

Gabbie's dad would later be quoted saying, "When I first met you, you were a dude in a band with long hair," followed up by, "And I couldn't think of a better man for my baby girl."

Through everything they've been together, they have been each others rock, each others encouragement, and each others safe place. They have willingly, patiently, and enthusiastically shown up for each other and chosen each other. They have proven their love for each other time and time again, and found home with each other. And even though their story is riddled with grief, and trauma, and challenges it has also exuberated acceptance, joy, excitement, passion, adventure, and warmth.

Gabbie said yes to Alex on October 27, 2023 in Ouray, Colorado which they identify as their "home away from home." Alex hired a photographer to be hiding close by in the bushes which Gabbie was (unsurprisingly) oblivious to. It was everything he and Gabbie had ever wanted in their engagement.

Please join Alex and Gabbie on December 05, 2024 when they officially say "I do." Taco Bell is no longer on the table.