Like many modern love stories, ours began with a swipe. We met on Tinder, and after a few chats back and forth, we decided to meet in person for a date. Little did we know that one of our first dates would be a hike through Oneonta Gorge. That day wasn’t just a date—it was the beginning of something much bigger. The challenge of navigating slippery rocks and slipping down a small snowy embankment brought us closer, but it was our shared love for the outdoors that truly connected us.

That hike led to discovering just how much we both love the great outdoors. From hiking and camping trips to paddle boarding on serene lakes and snowshoeing through quiet, snowy landscapes, exploring nature together became one of our favorite things. Now, we make it a goal to head to the mountains and the beach at least once a month to reconnect with each other and the beauty around us.

On the morning of July 5th, 2024, we were camping in North Cascades National Park. After breakfast, we started hiking the Thunder Knob trail, excited to see the view at the top. The trail led us to an overlook of Diablo Lake with the mountains rising behind it.

While at the top, we enjoyed a quiet moment together. As the other hikers started to leave, Ben got up and set up his camera on a rock. Madison didn’t think much of it until Ben came back, knelt down in front of her, and asked her to marry him.

It was just the two of us, the lake, and the mountains when Madison said yes. That moment marked the start of our next adventure together.

We can't wait to keep adventuring together and are excited to share this next chapter of our lives with you!

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