How we met

Overlook from the hike where we met and later got engaged.

Lauren's take: We share a love of the outdoors and appropriately we met while hiking through San Joaquin River Gorge in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. I was new to the area and Ian mentioned he needed a climbing partner for the local rock climbing gym I had just joined. This was perfect. I too was in need of a reliable belayer. This launched a relationship that has stood strong as friends became partners. A few years later, Ian would propose in the same spot where we met, overlooking the San Joaquin River Gorge.

Ian's take: During that first hike, after a brief exchange of Aldo Leopold quotes I found myself walking alone on the trail, when I hear the patter of feet behind me. It was Lauren and from then we spent the rest of the hike talking. We mentioned mutual interest in climbing, however I hadn't climbed in many years, I just wanted to climb with her (but she didn't know that). After several times out (as friends I suppose), her brilliance, humor, style & kind heart (also good taste in food) lead me to ask her on a date & to my happy surprise she accepted. After many grueling hikes, treacherous rock climbs, deep cave explorations, & frigid surf trips she has remained by my side, so I knew she was the perfect partner to accompany me through the journey of life.