Our Engagement, 4 Years In The Making

Quote I Loved: 

"You knew that hill was too steep and you still took me down it!!!" - Kelly Hartlage (2021)

Things I Am Thinking About:

Kel and I grew up down the road from each other but we are two years apart so we didn't spend much time together. After college our paths crossed again on a random night in NYC. We had so much fun catching up that we hung out again in Boston. Then on a random Wednesday I asked if she'd come with me to my step brother's wedding. I caught her so off guard that she said, "I need to think about it" and then hung up the phone thinking, "this kid is crazy. We have only seen each other twice in the last 7 years and now he wants to spend a weekend with me at his step brother's wedding…."  (Fortunately she ended up saying yes)

Fast forward eight months and Kel was moving out to Denver, CO and we were beginning our life together, as a couple. One thing you need to know about Kel is that growing up she was a beach girl through and through. Her winter activities included skating inside and wishing that she was on a beach. Boy was it a shock the first time we drove up to the mountains and she strapped on those skis. I still remember her saying, "where is the bunny hill? None of these seem like beginner hills, Tanner!" Well, welcome to the Rockies. The "beginner" hills are a little different here.

That first ski season was an interesting one. One day we'd drive back from the mountains and Kel would be saying how she "finally is getting the hang of it," and the next she would be crying because I took her down a trail "that was just too steep and I knew it."

Slowly winter turned into summer. We started exploring the mountains on our feet and sleeping under the stars. That beach girl was slowly turning into a mountain girl.

By the time the next season rolled around we started to question why we lived "so far away from the mountains." If you know I-70 and the tunnel, then you know the pain of Denverites as they drive into the mountains with the masses.

One decision led to the next and we were packing up our bags and moving to Montana. Montana! The beach girl, now turned mountain girl, was moving to Montana!!

Having never been to Montana we didn't know what to expect, but as we came over the hill and first laid our eyes on Flathead Lake, we knew this place was special. We knew this place was going to be home.

The next 2.5 years were filled with more aggressive skiing, first time rafting trips, and more time in the mountains than we can count. Then on 2.17.24, our favorite playground, Glacier National Park, became even more special. It became a place where we will bring our kids and say, "we got engaged right on that point."

The proposal was perfect for countless reasons, but one thing I can't stop thinking about is that it was the culmination of our relationship. Four years ago we could not have cross country skied 8 miles to that point. Four years ago we would have never thought about living in Montana. Four years ago we would not have had the opportunity to sleep in, look at the beautiful day and say, "want to go to a national park."

The day puts a smile on my face, but thinking about everything we've done and built together to get to that day, makes my heart even fuller.

Questions I'm Asking Myself: 

How did I get so lucky? How was the mountain so centered in that photo?

Favorite Photos From the Week:

Till next week, be kind, be curious and work hard. 

Tanner