Ben & Jess met in the summer of 2019 while working as guides for Sasquatch Fly Fishing in Estes Park, CO. In the photo below, you can see Ben helping Jess net her first Greenback Cutthroat trout—a special moment.

Ben and Jess crushed on each other for the first couple of weeks that summer. Sparks finally flew during a night out at the Wheel Bar with friends. Teaming up for a game of darts against some visiting friends, they made a playful bet: the losers had to kiss. Well... they lost!

Within days, they were off on a few unforgettable dates—a sunrise hike to Gem Lake, a Trampled by Turtles concert at Red Rocks, and stargazing at Mary’s Lake. The rest of the summer seemed to fly by.

They decided to do the distance with the promise that they'd be back next summer to fish again. So, Ben returned to Saint John's for his senior year of college, while Jess signed up to teach skiing in Winter Park, CO.

After seven months of long distance and the beginning of the pandemic, they were reunited in Estes for another summer of shenanigans. They picked up were they left off, and had a wonderful guide season, surrounded by some of their lifelong friends.

After that summer, reality quickly set in. Ben worked full-time as Software Developer at Securian Financial & Jess put her nursing degree to use at the Mayo Clinic. They lived in a small apartment in Rochester. Jess met some of her closest friends working on the floor. Ben spent his free time coaching youth soccer.

They spent about a year and half in Rochester, but the mountains were calling...

December of 2022 Ben & Jess moved to Winter Park, CO- this time together. Ben worked as a Ski Instructor and Jess as a PACU Nurse.

They lived in a small apartment with a roommate they found on facebook.

They loved their time in WP and skied every chance they could get.

After the snow melted they purchased a camper, named it Boondock, and headed North to Seward, Alaska—a place they’d fallen in love with during a Klick family vacation in 2021.

Their summer housing had fallen through on the drive out, but it was too late to turn around. They managed to live out of Boondock for the first four weeks before they discovered housing in an abandoned coach bus!

In Seward, Ben worked as a Sea-Kayak guide, while Jess worked as a nurse at the only nursing home in town, but they weren't there to work... They spent their free time picking blueberries, fishing, hiking, catching salmon, filleting salmon, smoking salmon, baking salmon, frying salmon... you get the point.

Four months in Alaska, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, small-living quarters & unforgettable adventures.

By the end of summer, the days were getting shorter and their stuff was getting moldy. It was time to go home.

Moving back to Colorado was a easy decision for the couple.

In February 2023, they celebrated the life of Ben’s father, Jon West. Diagnosed with Stage IV cancer ten months prior, Jon’s legacy of lightheartedness and passion for music continues to live on through Ben and his brother, Jaymin.

A special thank you to Kristie during this time—you have been such a light in all our lives.

In September of 2024, Ben finally proposed to Jess in Estes Park, CO. Doing one of their favorite things in one of their favorite places. Jess said “yes” and was surprised by close family and friends who came to town to help celebrate.

After five incredible years of love, laughter, and adventure, Ben and Jess are ready to take on the rest of their lives together.

Please help to celebrate them on their wedding June 21st, 2025.