June of 2021 - The First Meet

Skylar and Laura met at Big Lake, summer of 2021. They came to camp with it being Skylar’s second summer as a counselor, and Laura’s first. During the first few weeks, they became acquainted through mutual friends and camp projects together. Although both in relationships at the time, they begin a friendship, rooted in their shared love of working with kids. They chose to be dance partners for a skit for one of the plays held at the end of the week at camp, and shared many laughs over their missteps in the routine. A fire, not 5 miles from Big Lake cut summer camp short, and forced the staff and the kids to return home early. Although, that didn't stop their continued friendship as they stayed in touch, catching up through text occasionally and meeting up with friends. When both of their relationships ended, their friendship begin to grow even more. Fall time came, and they begin to text more and more, whilst being almost 250 miles apart with Skylar working in Bellevue, WA, and Laura beginning nursing school at Walla Walla University. Soon enough, the winter season came, meaning the annual Big Lake Retreat. They both went, and through days spent together, playing in the snow, and long nights spent, talking on the couch, they started to wonder; could this be more than just a crush?

January of 2022 - A New Relationship

It was more than a crush indeed. At least enough so that Skylar would spend his weekends driving 8 hours to see Laura in Walla Walla. Through their dedication, they made long distance work, seeing each other as often as possible. As spring rolled around, they started to meet at Hood River, spending the day doing everything together. They continued to talk all the time, until one day, Skylar brought up the possibility of leaving for Spain at the end of the summer. As they had just done 5 months of distance, being 250 miles apart, the thought of being over 2,000 miles apart with an 8 hour time difference seemed a little nerve-wracking to them both. Despite the incoming long distance that they were soon about to embrace, they decided to make the most of their time together. These frequent trips led all the way into summer, where they worked, once again at Big Lake together, only this time, Laura was the Girls' Village Director and Skylar was a counselor. They spent their weekends off together, exploring eastern Oregon; camping, hiking, and so on. Soon, fall came around, and it was time for Skylar to say goodbye not only to California, but to Laura as well. As they had been together for a small period of time, they decided to tread on and see what would become of their relationship from over 2,000 miles apart.

Fall of 2022 - Skylar leaves for Spain

While in Spain, they only grew closer together. They texted and FaceTimed as often as they could, with Skylar budgeting his funds so he could buy Laura gifts in almost every place he went. She visited in the spring and they explored the south east coast of Spain; spending every second together. He showed her the spots that he had grown to love, knowing she would love them too.

Summer of 2023 - Their last summer at Big Lake ... or so they thought

The summer soon rolled around, and Skylar was soon back in Oregon, ready for another summer with Laura and the friends that they had accumulated throughout their last few years at camp and new ones made along the way. Skylar was the assistant Boys Village Director and Laura was the Pacific Crest Trail Coordinator. The summer was challenging, and they had little time to spend together so Skylar decided to make a change that ultimately changed their next year together. Skylar moved to Oregon.

Fall of 2023 - Back to Big Lake

Skylar gave up the sunny skies of California for the rainy, snowy fall & winter season at Big Lake to be closer to Laura. As she was finishing up her senior year in Portland, OR, they took turns doing the 2.5 hour commute each weekend to see each other. As fall turned to winter, and winter turned to spring, graduation soon became to creep up, and Laura was determined to make it to California to be with Skylar. As the job interviews came and went, her determination didn't waver. She searched and searched until graduation was right around the corner. Unfortunately, no hospitals in his area wanted the new grad with no nursing experience. So she decided to return home after graduation and pursued a job at River Bend as a neurology nurse while Skylar worked at PUC in facilities management.

Summer of 2024 - Long distance, again?

She soon passed NCLEX and began her new job, flying to see Skylar as often as she could. They continued to adventure and dream about when they may finally be in one place together. Fall rolled around, and Skylar continued to work, saving towards a particular purchase that would jumpstart the actions needed to make those dreams come true.

Winter 2024-2025 - Laura finds out

As winter rolled around, Skylar began to hint towards particular plans, asking about time off and some of her favorite places that they had traveled to together. He mysteriously traveled to San Fransisco a couple of times and seemed a mix of eager and anxious when repeatedly confirming her ring size. She poked and prodded, but little was given away. She soon learned the ring had been purchased, but knew nothing about the location, until two weeks before when they were celebrating Christmas in Sun River with Skylar's family. As they sat in the hot tub together one night, looking at the stars, Laura looked at Skylar and said, "it's at Big Lake isn't it? Cause that would be a full circle moment. It'd be cute"; to which he replied, "it could be!" He shared a few ideas in a different locations, all at Big Lake, simply to keep her guessing- while she sat there thinking to herself, "just give me the ring!" Two weeks later, and the time had come. They were driving the too-familiar road, each with different thoughts lingering in their heads. Laura was sure that it was happening, but didn't know when; Skylar knew that it was happening, but was also wondering when ... it would be over so he didn't have to carry a tiny box with him all the time.

January 11, 2025 - She said, "Sure!"

Saturday morning rolled around, and the two awoke, both eager for the afternoon ahead. The morning passed, and the afternoon came, and they embarked off into the woods. They passed by the lake, and climbed over trees, and eventually found a spot, hidden away from the rest of Big Lake. They began to gaze at the sights all around, and Skylar took the moment to ask the question that he had rehearsed in his head for many weeks before. "Will you marry me?" ... "Sure!" "I mean.. Yes!"

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