We met on June 7, 2020. We chatted online for a bit, and met up for coffee and disc golf, which morphed into dinner and plans for another date.

For our second date we drove up to Owyhee Lake, one of Ben’s favorite places. We had the most amazing day… drove through the Owyhees, climbed up an overhanging overlooking the lake and talked about our lives, drove back to Caldwell singing along with 90s music, got some dinner and a couple beers, and walked around the Plaza. It was so easy and natural to be together. We both have similar introverted energies, and we like to talk about life philosophies and deeper meanings. At the Plaza there happened to be an outdoor social distanced prom going on, with music and dancing. We joined in on the party and danced and sang with a bunch of highschool seniors and their parents. It began to rain and we walked to the bridge and watched the water hit the creek. My hair was wet, I was enjoying the rain on my face, and Ben says he thinks he fell in love with me at that moment.

About a month into knowing each other, Ben had an accident at work, he had a severe concussion and post-concussion symptoms of light sensitivity, headaches, and head pressure. Since he was unable to work outside, and I was working remotely, we spent all of our days together. I got to know him at his most vulnerable, and we gained a lot of trust in each other. We worked through the challenges of a new relationship in the midst of his health struggles.

We got engaged on October 27, 2020 after recreating our second date in Caldwell and reminiscing about the challenges and wonderful times we’d been through and talking about our dreams for our life together. We finally found a solution to Ben’s post-concussion symptoms through hyperbaric treatments in April, and once his health was better we began to plan the wedding.

We both love working on the farmhouse and the surrounding property together, and we both own several dogs, I have a senior Aussie and a senior Sheltie, Ben has a Border Collie mix, and two young Brittany’s. It’s a full house, and a little chaotic at times, so we like to get out and go for long drives and day trip adventures. We enjoy being outside and working on projects together, cooking together, and cuddling while we watch our favorite TV shows. We are so excited to start our life together and celebrate our love with you!