It all started on Hinge, when Neil messaged Whitney before he’d even landed in Chicago, which definitely made her raise an eyebrow. But her curiosity (and his charm) won out, and she agreed to meet him and his crew at Halligan’s, a cozy Irish pub in Chicago. Within minutes, Neil was smitten and asking Whitney to be his date to the Ranger Ball in Georgia just a few months later.

From that night on, it was smooth sailing. Well, mostly smooth sailing… if you count two years of long distance, military training, deployment, and unpredictable schedules as smooth. But through it all, they built a strong foundation of love and commitment. On one of those short but meaningful weekends, sitting on a quiet bench in Roswell, Georgia, Neil knew, he was all in.

Eventually, the weekend visits turned into a big move to Denver, where everyday life began: hiking, skiing, camping, and Neil trying to get Whitney to enjoy trail runs (still a work in progress). They became true partners in crime, always chasing the next adventure.

A few laughter-filled years later, with lots of love, travel, great meals, and Whitney winning every competition, they knew they were ready for the biggest adventure yet: forever, together!