Grace and Dillon's love story unfolded like a gentle sunrise – quiet, steady, and full of wonder. When Grace and Dillon first crossed paths at a local climbing gym, there was an ease between them, a spark of joy in every encounter, and a sense that something meaningful had begun.
In the years since, their story has grown through kindness, curiosity, shared adventures, and a love that feels like home. From spontaneous road trips to the quiet magic of sunrises in the Grand Tetons, every chapter has been written with intention, joy, and deep connection. Today, we’re honoured to share a glimpse into their journey.
When you first crossed paths, what stood out - was it something said, a shared laugh, or just a quiet feeling that this person might be significant?
Dillon said he thought I seemed fun and a little mysterious, haha. I distinctly remember thinking, the first time I met him, how genuinely kind he seemed. Every time I saw him at the climbing gym, I felt so happy to see him and excited to chat.
There’s always been such a calm, quiet knowing in our relationship – like a steady sense that this is the person I want to be with. It’s always been an easy, wholehearted “yes.
What’s something about your relationship that makes you feel more like yourself? Or has helped you grow into a better version of who you are?
Dillon has always accepted me exactly as I am, and that has meant the world to me. No one has shown me as much kindness or compassion as he has.
Grace has helped me become more aware of myself and who I am. In our relationship, I’ve become more open-minded, patient, and kind. The hard edges I may have had before are softer now – and I’m better for it. Grace has helped me notice the unseen wonders of the world and appreciate that they exist. My worldview has expanded because of her.
Is there a memory (big or small) that feels like a turning point in your story together?
• Meeting at the climbing gym on a random morning in May, before we started dating. We connected over our love of food and good restaurants – and happened to be the only two people at the gym that afternoon, a detail Grace has always thought was sweet.
• A spontaneous road trip to Colorado to climb a 14er (a mountain over 14,000 feet), which later became the place we’d call home.
• Getting our dog, Sunny
Grace and Dillon, how did the proposal unfold? Looking back, what made it feel true to the two of you?
We go to Jackson, WY almost every year now, usually to Grand Teton National Park. Teton has some notoriously difficult campgrounds to book – Jenny Lake specifically – especially if you don’t do it six months in advance or more. Our anniversary is in July, and this year we planned a road trip to Utah and Wyoming. Dillon set several notifications for Jenny Lake, hoping that in a stroke of good fortune, a site would open up and we’d get to stay there for the first time.
(Note: Jenny Lake is really special to us. Not only is it stunningly beautiful, but we usually end our hikes by jumping into the perfect, clear, icy blue water – it’s the perfect end to a hike.)
Luckily, a campsite opened and Dillon managed to book it within 30 seconds of getting the notification. When we arrived at the Tetons, Dillon made sure I thought we had a site at a place we’d been to before – but as we drove up, he revealed the surprise that we’d be staying at one of our “holy grail” campgrounds.
That evening, Dillon told me he wanted to watch the sunrise over Jenny Lake and the Tetons, which is another key tradition of our trips. Throughout the day, he was quietly scouting spots for the proposal, looking for a location that felt right and had the potential for a little privacy.
The next morning, we woke up at 5 AM and walked from the campground to the rocky shore of Jenny Lake, with an incredible view of The Grand in front of us. Dillon was so nervous during the 30-minute wait for the official sunrise and the light to hit the peaks that he was shaking (though that may have also been from the cold, haha).
When the sunlight finally began to hit the snowy peaks, and the perfectly calm water reflected the mountains and sky, we stood there taking in the view with no one else around. That’s when Dillon got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
It was a moment that held our shared history, so many of our favourite things, and felt like the sun rising on the next chapter of our lives.
What kind of life are you most excited to build together - whether that’s a feeling, a place, or a rhythm of your own?
A life built on shared growth and deep comfort – where we support each other fully, keep discovering new things together, and create a rhythm that feels uniquely our own!
