We met in law school, both attending Colorado Law School in Boulder. Although we encountered each other the very first weekend of school, it wasn’t until our second year (and overlapping course schedules) that we spent much time together. We both ended up at the LCD Soundsystem This Is Happening concert in Denver and somehow at that show everything started to fall into place.

The next four years were full of adventures, both good and bad, and included Dave being diagnosed with cancer, adopting a crazy mutt, unemployment, traveling, rediscovering a love of cycling, and establishing a new normal. At each turn we chose each other – we were building a life together.

On December 25, 2014, we drove from Las Vegas to Palm Springs through Joshua Tree National Park. Dave was biking 500 km between Christmas and New Years for the Strava + Rapha Festive 500 (you can read more here: http://www.gravelontheground.com/). He took off on his bike and I headed out to find the perfect Joshua Tree to decorate for a Christmas Day photo to send to our families.

When Dave met up with me, I started the camera and dashed back for our photo. Dave took a knee and proposed (it was actually more of a surprise ring gifting (a rose cut diamond from Catbird in Brooklyn) while he said lots of nice things – he forgot to ask any questions). It was completely magical and special – so many emotions, though afterwards Dave took off to get about 30 more miles on his bike!