Ben used thirst traps like this (and the next one) on his dating profile to reel Annie in. She liked his face. A lot. And his kind eyes. And that he was outside in the mountains. She didn’t know this photo was 7 years prior to their meeting in 2016…

But this more recent one also looked like Ben got what Josie would describe as, ‘a glow up’. Annie practically forced Ben to meet her for a beer so they could go on a hike together if she wasn’t concerned he’d murder her in dem der hills.

This was some of the bait that Annie dangled in her online dating profile. On a hike, with a dog, cute. Ben was pretty sold - but reluctant because she was moving to Denver.

We went on two awesome dates before Annie and Josie relocated to Colorado. The first Ben insisted was just for practice (since she’d been out of the game for 11 years and he didn’t want to like like her because she was moving). But after meeting her he decided a little more practice wouldn’t hurt.

Ben arrived in Colorado around this date and gets back into contact with Annie.

One of our many subsequent dates. Ben is not in the photo because he looks like an absolute idiot. But look how cute Annie is!

Gus had absolute non-stop affection for Josie when they met. “Can we keep her daddy? Can we?”he begged. So they did.

We bought a house in Beeler Park.

Our backyard was a refuge during the pandemic. Between the increased time at home and the many projects we conquered together, we really grew to have a better understanding of each other. For example, Annie learned Ben was full of shit when he said he could complete a project in "X" amount of time. She now multiplies “X” by at least 4 for planning purposes. A small price to pay for a love from Ben, who has embraced the elaborate mating rituals of the bowerbird, demonstrating his genetic and paternal quality through creating and maintaining an enviable nest.

The first new addition to our little family. We drove to New Mexico to pick up Zoe, a golden Aussie-doddle who now dominates every aspect of our life. She’s got that boss bitch energy (I’m allowed to say bitch here because both her biological sex and gender identity are she/her and she’s K9).

In the Spring of 2022, Annie, Ben, and Josie took their favorite vacation to date; chartering a catamaran and island hopping around The British Virgin Islands.

We visited the Baths and walked to the top to “take a family picture”…But

Ben surprised Annie and Josie by actually proposing at the top of dat der hill! While Annie and Josie both may have had suspicions that Ben might propose on this trip…they both ALSO thought the drone would be involved and it was nowhere to be seen.

Annie said yes, as did Josie when Ben asked if she’d let him be her “kinda dad”.

One happy lady atop the Baths

An equally happy Josie.