Our story began in Salt Lake City, Utah. A California girl and a Michigan boy, both newly transplanted to the mountains. Both were searching for adventure. Both were looking for love.

Like many couples these days, Sarah and Malek met on a dating app. Malek was looking for an artsy, granola gal; Sarah had a history of romping around the desert in costume. Both were looking for more than just another adventure partner — they were searching for a life partner. It was a match made in the outdoor, weird-folk cosmos.

They began adventuring together from the very start. Two of their first four dates involved skiing. They quickly discovered a shared ability to find joy, whimsy, and goofiness anywhere — whether flying through fresh snow or dominating at pool at Cheers 2 U.

After the first of many backpacking trips together, they decided to make it official. From then on, they promised to backpack in the Uinta Mountains at least once every summer — a tradition they proudly continue.

Fast forward two years. Sarah had finished grad school, and Malek was completing his degree at Utah State University in Logan, about 1.5 hours from Salt Lake City. The commute was wearing on both of them, and Sarah’s job was...let’s just say, not great. Thankfully, a new opportunity opened up in Logan. In the spring of 2024, they took the country road and made Logan their new home. They celebrated their second anniversary in true cowboy style — complete with Malek’s very first horseback ride.

Later that summer, they headed out for their annual backpacking trip to the Uintas. With fishing poles in hand, they hiked to a remote backcountry lake with no one else in sight. Sarah caught four fish. Malek caught zero. Luckily, they had dessert. Malek had packed Kinder Eggs — except Sarah’s didn’t contain a toy. Inside was a ring.

They spent the next few days completely alone, cherishing the love they had built and dreaming about the future they would build together.

Another year flew by. Sarah got shoulder surgery and raised a puppy at the same time...and became a fully licensed social worker/therapist. Malek finished his degree and launched his career by starting not one, but two businesses. He achieved his dream of facilitating sublime outdoor experiences and sold his first pair of locally designed, engineered, and manufactured skis (Bonneville Mountain Equipment).

It was time to build a home — not from scratch (yet), but definitely not the easy way. They dove in headfirst, buying a 1948 fixer upper: ripping holes in walls, removing shag carpet and asbestos, reviving tired wood floors, and learning a lot the hard way. In the end, they began shaping a space near the mountains that felt like theirs — a slightly dusty, deeply loved home where they could build a life together.

Cheers to laughing our way through life together. From finding meaning and mischief in the ups and downs, to pausing for the wind in the leaves, for shared glances and quiet admiration, and for choosing joy with each other, again and again.