One of our first dates. Aly took Chris fan shopping at T200 (if you know, you know). Love was in the air. Literally.

London — where it all officially began. Somehow Aly convinced Chris to ask her to be his girlfriend using a Forest Gump voice. Chris may (or may not) still be questioning that decision to this day.

Chris’s first 70.3 Ironman. He absolutely crushed it (cough… almost died). And thus began a lifelong commitment to supporting each other’s wildly unnecessary endurance challenges.

Our first international trip together — Diani Beach, Kenya. Sunburns, friends, and immediate confirmation that we travel very well together.

Our first Christmas together — in Egypt. Because nothing says “festive” like Santa hats in the desert.

Fake proposal #1 — caught on camera. Chris had a long-running habit of fake-proposing to Aly = emotional damage.

Finishing the Ironman 70.3 together. The only time Chris has ever been able to talk without Aly interrupting—because she was too out of breath. He chose to use this moment to talk about mining in the DRC.

Our first bikepacking trip together. The beginning of a lifetime of sore butts!

Chris’s first trip to the U.S. to meet the Beemans — a sweet introduction that quickly turned into him declaring he would never live in this country.

First time meeting the Brook family — a year and a half into dating. Good thing they liked me… they were pretty stuck with me by then.

The greatest gift Aly ever gave Chris: securing Taylor Swift concert tickets over a year in advance. A very foolproof way to ensure a relationship retention strategy ;)

Fake proposal #2 — caught on camera. You thought we were kidding about the fake proposals, didn’t you?

Race Around Rwanda Powered by endless training together, unwavering support, a million hills, and an alarming quantity of potatoes. Also, the only time Aly has ever seen this man cry.

The REAL proposal — Akagera National Park. Chris finally proposed one early morning in our favorite safari park by "surprising" Aly with a hot air balloon ride. This one was real. We promise.