We like to describe our time at Colorado School of Mines as the most fun we never want to have again. The school promised to challenge us and prepare us for the engineering world, and it definitely delivered. But more than the all-nighters and field sessions, it gave us something even more valuable: lifelong friends, and each other.

We first met during California field session. After that trip, Allan was aware of Kaitlyn and offered the occasional hello around campus. Kaitlyn, for her part, ended up in a lot of the same study spots, partly for the quiet but mostly to stay on Allan’s radar.

Our friendship started with group projects and long nights in Marquez Hall, then turned into happy hours at Table Mountain Inn. We shared a senior seminar class, which came with a weekly ritual. Allan brought the coffee. Kaitlyn brought the creamer, often with a generous splash of creamed tequila. That spark slowly grew into something more. Study sessions turned into dinners, and dinners turned into keg races, tailgates, and memories we still laugh about.

After graduation, life threw its usual curveballs. New jobs, long-distance stretches, busy schedules, and more than a few growing pains. But with each challenge, we found more reasons to hold on. What started as a solid friendship turned into a real partnership. And after a few years, Allan finally made it official.

These days, we love cooking and BBQ-ing for friends and family. Our camping trips usually include a side-by-side or a boat, and in the summer we grow our own ingredients for salsa and hot sauces. On snowy days, nothing beats a big pot of homemade chili. Green or red, depending on the mood.

We’ve taken on plenty of projects together—from bathroom remodels to backyard builds. And no matter what the task is, we tackle it as a team. Now we’re ready for what comes next.

We’re proud of where we’ve been, and even more excited for what’s ahead. Thank you for being part of our story. We can’t wait to share our big day with you.

K&A