It's a tale as old as time... at least as long as the internet has been around. We met online like many people do these days. We met in August of 2020 at the height of the pandemic. We were looking for connection in a time when solitary confinement was the norm. And we found it. At the time Kayla was in middle of graduate school and Luke was doing the 9-5 managing a bank.

On our first date we sat on Luke's porch, had some nice wine, and ate cheese and crackers. We just talked and talked and talked. We bonded over our love of the outdoors; camping, backpacking, canoeing, climbing. It's not every day that you find someone who not only doesn't mind being dirty for days on end and using nature as their bathroom, but actively pursues it! We talked at length about the feeling of falling asleep under the stars in the wilderness and how a forest smells in a light drizzle, and the best way to build a campfire. Little did we know that we would have many of these such adventures in our future.

For Kayla, it was love at first sight. She was drawn to Luke's good looks, his sense of adventure, intelligence, generosity, his humor and openness. She never laughed as hard as when they were together just hanging out. Long, night time conversations were spent sharing their deepest desires and dreams of the past, present and future. It is no wonder why Kayla fell head over heels. The casual way he shows affection in public, the way he pursues knowledge and beauty, the way he turns back into a seven-year old in the wilderness, and the way he shows up with his true authentic self are just a few of the reasons. Through adventures; biking in New Orleans, backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail and in the North Cascades, snowboarding and soaking in hot springs in Colorado, and wandering around New York City they grew even closer and more connected. No matter where they were, Luke felt like home. Kayla is over the moon to marry her lover, partner and best friend.

Luke knew right away that Kayla was someone interested in deep authentic connection. He was drawn to her as a person serious about prioritizing connections, place, and human happiness in a life they increasingly shared. He revered her as a strong independent, canoe carrying woman, and cherished the emotional connection she bravely showed him how to build together. It was easy to fall in love with someone so committed to seeing the positive and treating others well. Through every growth in their careers, living arrangements, and outdoor adventures, Luke felt that shared sense of purpose in building a life closer and closer together. With every evolution of their relationship, Luke grew more sure that he'd picked the right one... He soon couldn't imagine a life without Kayla's curious smile and twinkling eyes. He reveled in learning new things from and with her, found peace in quiet evenings cooking together, and inspiration from the things he watched her accomplish. He can't wait to spend every day together!