Charlie and Lydia met in October of 2023 when Charlie heroically rescued Lydia from a hungry grizzly bear on top of Mt McKinley. Just kidding! They met online and had their first date at The Black Cup. The date went so well (4+ hours at the coffee shop) that Charlie joined Lydia for a bluegrass concert the same evening. Lydia was bummed that Charlie had to sit alone in the back because nearby seats were already sold out!

Over the following weeks the pair courted through Trunk-Or-Treat, chess, skiing, concerts at the Performing Arts Center, and yummy restaurants. One of Lydia's favorite dates was meeting Charlie at the tire shop at 6am to wait in line for winter tires. (The Anchorage version of Black Friday!) By the middle of November, the two were officially "an item".

Highlights of 2024 included visiting Charlie's family in Virginia, a 24-mile wilderness float trip down the Swanson River, Charlie passing his engineering licensure exam, learning to sew, eating a rabbit for Christmas dinner, and countless other summer and winter adventures.

On the morning of March 8, Charlie and Lydia hiked up Bear Mountain in Peter's Creek with dear friends Blake and Heidi. After making it up the steep climb and bagging a few ptarmigan along the way, Charlie proposed at the peak! Charlie and Lydia are thrilled to start their next and greatest adventure alongside their family and friends.