Hillary and Mike first crossed paths in the spring of 2012 at Big Sky Resort—Mike was working as a bellman and Hillary at the Huntley Front Desk. That summer was filled with new friendships, plenty of laughter, and more than a few inside jokes. Life carried them both forward in Big Sky, but it wouldn’t be until January 2020 that their paths reconnected.

In those early months together, they built sweet memories with Mike’s first dog, Angus, and brought home their first puppy together, Kobe—just one week before the world came to a standstill. The challenges of the pandemic years were real, but they strengthened not only the Big Sky community, but also Hillary and Mike’s bond.

As restrictions lifted, the two began to explore the world side by side—first to Jackson Hole, then to the ocean in Cabo, Mexico (where Hillary proudly caught the bigger marlin). Their adventures continued closer to home too, with the addition of their spirited pup Mocha in October 2023, who quickly taught them that there’s no such thing as too much fetch.

In May 2025, on a trip to Hawaii filled with incredible food, tropical cocktails, snorkeling with turtles, manta rays, and brightly colored fish, Mike proposed at the summit of Mauna Kea. It was the perfect start to their biggest adventure yet.