Our wild adventure kicked off in an unexpected corner of the internet—a hiking group chat where I asked for tips for an upcoming Costa Rica trip. Enter Heather, a bona fide travel badass who’d lived in Costa Rica for nine months. With the audacity only a true free spirit can muster, she playfully suggested I “smuggle her in my suitcase.” And just like that, sparks flew faster than you can say “hiking gear sale.”

We started flirting, texting, and calling each other—bonding over our mutual obsession with scaling mountains, chasing sunsets, swapping jokes about “funguys,” and our wild pasts. I was instantly captivated by her stunning looks, fiery red hair, and that adventurous spirit that makes you want to toss convention out the window. I knew I’d found someone who wasn’t just successful on paper but was also the life of every off-road party.

Since that epic first exchange, we’ve racked up more adventures than a travel blogger on a caffeine high. Picture this: our first backpacking trips to Ancient Lakes, scaling mountain tops like we’re auditioning for a nature documentary, and even conquering the legendary Kalalau Trail in Kauai—complete with a detour to the infamous nude beach of Kalalau, where we swam in warm lagoon waters, explored sea caves, and lounged in our hammock beneath palms and fruit trees. We’ve found a home away from home in the Yucatan of Mexico, where we were scuba certified in beautiful cenotes alongside a prehistoric-looking alligator casually swimming alongside while Heather struggled with faulty dive equipment - talk about breathtaking adventure! We have done everything from shredding powder on snowy peaks to exploring ancient ruins and archaeological sites, to scuba diving in the mysterious waters around Niihau, the Forbidden Island. Every escapade has not only added crazy stories to our wanderlust repertoire but has cemented the fact that together, we’re unstoppable.

But hey, it hasn’t all been rainbows, s’mores, and perfect trail mixes. We’ve weathered our fair share of storms—battling dark days, narrowly dodging disaster, and even duking it out over who forgot to take out the trash (spoiler: it was usually me). From commitment issues to the never-ending chore wars, we’ve learned that love means choosing each other every single day—even when we’re at each other’s throats over the last clean pair of socks. My calm tempers her fiery spirit, while her fierce passion keeps me from turning into a couch potato. Together, we prove that even chaos can be downright charming when shared with your best friend.

The pinnacle of our wanderlust saga came on Xpuha Beach in Mexico. While aimlessly combing the beach (and probably looking more like a goof than a groom), I pretended to find something in a tidepool, then got down on one knee, presented my grandmother’s ring, and popped the question. She hardly knew what was happening, but her shocked silence quickly melted into laughter and joy—and just like that, amid the crashing waves and salty breeze, our lives became inextricably entwined.

We adore nearly everything about each other—even if we still argue over where to eat and whose turn it is to plan the next spontaneous weekend escape. Heather’s dazzling red mane and a heart as bold as a tropical storm perfectly counterbalance my unflappable, logical vibe. Sure, we butt heads (more than a couple of stubborn goats), but we always find our way back to the love and laughter that started it all.

Looking ahead, our bucket list reads like a mad travel diary: hiking Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail, scuba diving the Blue Hole in Belize, backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail, and globe-trotting until we run out of passport pages. And who knows? Someday, we might even retire in another slice of paradise—maybe Mexico, maybe somewhere else equally wild and wonderful.

In the spirit of our riotous, rule-breaking, utterly unpredictable love story, we live by this mantra:

"Find someone who is both your home and your greatest adventure."

We can’t wait to keep writing this crazy, beautiful, hilarious chapter of our lives—surrounded by our favorite people, sharing laughs, love, and a whole lot of adventure.

Q + A coming soon!