Merrill and Tom first met on a Friday evening in September of 2019 at LFK, a cozy local bar in Portland, Maine. Merrill had just returned from a week of conducting wetland delineations in Downeast Maine, while Tom was nearly recovered from lacrosse-injured shoulder surgery. Over shared plates of chicken nachos, cold beers, and conversations about their college sports and skiing, they discovered an instant connection. When Tom asked to join Merrill and her friends at their next stop, Munjoy Hill Tavern, the spark between them only grew stronger. A walk through Portland that night sealed the deal — they were both smitten.

Tom was captivated by Merrill’s charisma, sense of humor, self-assurance, and adventurous spirit while Merrill was drawn to Tom’s confidence, infectious laugh, inquisitiveness, and soft blue eyes.

Their relationship blossomed through weekends exploring Maine’s ski mountains, sampling new restaurants around Portland, venturing to coastal towns, and camping in the back of Tom’s Volkswagen — even during snowstorms in rural USPS parking lots.

Six years later, after a cross-country move to Colorado and countless adventures together, Tom proposed atop the Sapporo TV Tower during a trip to Japan. Merrill couldn’t wait to say “yes!”

They now look forward to a lifetime of shared adventures, laughter, and love. Most of all, they are deeply grateful for the support and joy they’ve found in their family and friends — and they can’t wait to celebrate with all of you.