How we met
Hil’s version:
My girlfriend, Mandi Abbott, and I decided to go to San Luis Obispo on a random Monday night in January. We both had a mutual friend who was going to Cal Poly at the time, so we went to see him and hang out. We went to dinner then hung out at his house with some of the roommates. We both realized that it had gotten way too foggy for us to drive home on the 46. While we were deciding whether to stay at our friend’s house for the night or maybe just take the risk and drive home, Greg walked in the kitchen door. He was tired from a long day of lectures and he said he just wanted to make dinner and go to bed. However, as soon as he stepped foot through the door (he says I make a bigger deal out of this) BUT our eyes met and we both caught each other not looking away from the other. I don’t know, it was an instant attraction we can’t explain it other than it was just one of those moments we will never forget. We hung out the rest of the night, sort of gravitating towards each other and at some point exchanged numbers (me asking for his). The first week we texted a lot and had a couple 3-4 hour phone calls, which was crazy for us because neither one of us are really phone talkers. From then on we haven’t gone a day without talking or a moment without thinking of the other.
This was a quick photo snapped the night Greg & I met.
Our First date…
Greg’s version:
After spending only a couple hours that night we met, I had to know if this was “the real deal” or not. It was crazy for me to even think about a long-term relationship, but thought that going through and seeing Hillary again would either be the greatest idea ever or would just be a hilarious story to tell my roommates when I return from the weekend. After talking on the phone with Hillary for two weeks, I asked her if I could come see her. So two weeks after we met, I drove to Shafter, thinking to myself, “What am I doing, have I lost my mind?!”. I met Hillary’s dad, Pop, and a couple of her friends, (Nic and Jacque Othart) then we got in the car and drove to the Getty Center in LA, talking the whole time like we were already best friends.
Fast forward to 2 years later...
The PROPSAL!!
Greg should tell this part..
We were camping for the weekend in San Simeon for Hillary’s birthday on January 11-13 with Hillary’s dad (Pop) and friends Ryan and Mandi Abbott. On that Saturday (12!), we made breakfast and set out to find a local climbing destination in Cambria. We spent the whole day rock climbing, and when there came a time when Ryan, Mandi and Hillary went exploring to rappel down the rock, I had a moment with Pop all to myself. Pop and I have gotten very close, so it wasn’t intimidating asking him for his daughters hand in marriage, but I was still slightly nervous. He gave me his blessing and said, “Why didn’t you ask me sooner?” and we both laughed; however, I didn’t tell him when I was planning on asking her. Ryan, Mandi and Hillary came back down and we packed up our gear and headed back into town to eat a very late lunch. It was around 3pm when we finally sat down for tri tip sandwiches at Main St Grill in Cambria, and I quickly called one of my best friends and college roommate, JP. JP is a stellar photographer, and I had told him my plans the night before about my idea. JP drove up from San Luis Obispo to meet us in Cambria for lunch. By this time, it was about 4pm and the sun was going down quick. I was starting to stress out and eagerly told our group about this amazing hike that was just a short drive up the highway and that it would be a perfect place to watch the sunset. Everyone was pretty tired and moving slowly from the long day of climbing, and the sun was getting closer and closer to the horizon every minute. I finally got everyone (including the two dogs) in my car and we rushed up the road. As we drove, JP and I anxiously debated what spot would be the best to “watch the sunset”. I had a specific trail in mind, but of course, it was the farthest drive. As the sun almost hits the ocean, we pull off the highway to the trailhead, and I briefly question everyone as to whether it would be worth hiking the ½ mile trail to see the sunset, thinking that we might miss the sunset and have to go through with the plan the next night. Relieved, everyone was excited about this hike because I had talked it up so much, so we jump out of the car and head up the trail. The trail was very overgrown, it was questionable whether we’d see the sunset, and I was worried if we’d be able to make it back safely to the car in the escaping light. JP and I were recklessly leading the group up the trail, practically running at a certain point. By the way, to everyone’s unknowing, I had never hiked this trail and wasn’t certain whether it actually led to the place I had in mind. Losing light fast as the sun was still poking out behind the horizon, I left the group and ran up the trail and finally found the ridge that I had in mind. It was perfect, just what I had imagined. The trail opened up on this big ridge overlooking the ocean, 180-degree view of the California coastline with nothing but earth, water, and the sky above. I quickly ran back to the group and excitedly hurried them up to the ridge to watch the last remaining seconds of the setting sun. Our group emerges onto the ridge, and I ask JP to take a picture of Hillary and I as the sun set. We took a couple pictures, and then I walked over to my backpack to hand my camera to Mandi so I had some pictures for myself. While grabbing the camera, I stealthily pulled the ring from underneath my camera and slipped it behind my back. I passed off my camera and walked back to Hillary without anyone realizing what I had in my hand, then continued to take a couple pictures. All of a sudden, I was on my knee and fumbling through some words I had planned. Hillary initially thought I was mocking her and was not happy, saying “are you kidding me right now?!”. But then, the moment completely changed as I pulled my arm out from behind my back and revealed the little black box in my hand. After that, all I can remember was Hillary’s face covered in tears, JP’s camera snapping away, Ryan hooting and hollering, and the biggest stupid grin on my face I’ve ever had.
So now...
It’s nuts
to think that two people meeting by chance on a foggy Monday night are now
about to embark on one of life’s craziest adventures, Marriage. Greg and I
talked about starting a blog about hiking, eating and narrating it with photos
of our adventures. Now that we are engaged we thought what a great time to
start this little project together. Our hope is to write down and keep track of
all the adventures life seems to throw our way. So for starters we just wanted
to put our story out there and tell you about us.
Last, but not
least.. we are those crazy dog people.. meet the muts
Gobi the great
Mojave the crazy
Hil’s version:
My girlfriend, Mandi Abbott, and I decided to go to San Luis Obispo on a random Monday night in January. We both had a mutual friend who was going to Cal Poly at the time, so we went to see him and hang out. We went to dinner then hung out at his house with some of the roommates. We both realized that it had gotten way too foggy for us to drive home on the 46. While we were deciding whether to stay at our friend’s house for the night or maybe just take the risk and drive home, Greg walked in the kitchen door. He was tired from a long day of lectures and he said he just wanted to make dinner and go to bed. However, as soon as he stepped foot through the door (he says I make a bigger deal out of this) BUT our eyes met and we both caught each other not looking away from the other. I don’t know, it was an instant attraction we can’t explain it other than it was just one of those moments we will never forget. We hung out the rest of the night, sort of gravitating towards each other and at some point exchanged numbers (me asking for his). The first week we texted a lot and had a couple 3-4 hour phone calls, which was crazy for us because neither one of us are really phone talkers. From then on we haven’t gone a day without talking or a moment without thinking of the other.
This was a quick photo snapped the night Greg & I met.
Our First date…
Greg’s version:
After spending only a couple hours that night we met, I had to know if this was “the real deal” or not. It was crazy for me to even think about a long-term relationship, but thought that going through and seeing Hillary again would either be the greatest idea ever or would just be a hilarious story to tell my roommates when I return from the weekend. After talking on the phone with Hillary for two weeks, I asked her if I could come see her. So two weeks after we met, I drove to Shafter, thinking to myself, “What am I doing, have I lost my mind?!”. I met Hillary’s dad, Pop, and a couple of her friends, (Nic and Jacque Othart) then we got in the car and drove to the Getty Center in LA, talking the whole time like we were already best friends.
Fast forward to 2 years later...
The PROPSAL!!
Greg should tell this part..
We were camping for the weekend in San Simeon for Hillary’s birthday on January 11-13 with Hillary’s dad (Pop) and friends Ryan and Mandi Abbott. On that Saturday (12!), we made breakfast and set out to find a local climbing destination in Cambria. We spent the whole day rock climbing, and when there came a time when Ryan, Mandi and Hillary went exploring to rappel down the rock, I had a moment with Pop all to myself. Pop and I have gotten very close, so it wasn’t intimidating asking him for his daughters hand in marriage, but I was still slightly nervous. He gave me his blessing and said, “Why didn’t you ask me sooner?” and we both laughed; however, I didn’t tell him when I was planning on asking her. Ryan, Mandi and Hillary came back down and we packed up our gear and headed back into town to eat a very late lunch. It was around 3pm when we finally sat down for tri tip sandwiches at Main St Grill in Cambria, and I quickly called one of my best friends and college roommate, JP. JP is a stellar photographer, and I had told him my plans the night before about my idea. JP drove up from San Luis Obispo to meet us in Cambria for lunch. By this time, it was about 4pm and the sun was going down quick. I was starting to stress out and eagerly told our group about this amazing hike that was just a short drive up the highway and that it would be a perfect place to watch the sunset. Everyone was pretty tired and moving slowly from the long day of climbing, and the sun was getting closer and closer to the horizon every minute. I finally got everyone (including the two dogs) in my car and we rushed up the road. As we drove, JP and I anxiously debated what spot would be the best to “watch the sunset”. I had a specific trail in mind, but of course, it was the farthest drive. As the sun almost hits the ocean, we pull off the highway to the trailhead, and I briefly question everyone as to whether it would be worth hiking the ½ mile trail to see the sunset, thinking that we might miss the sunset and have to go through with the plan the next night. Relieved, everyone was excited about this hike because I had talked it up so much, so we jump out of the car and head up the trail. The trail was very overgrown, it was questionable whether we’d see the sunset, and I was worried if we’d be able to make it back safely to the car in the escaping light. JP and I were recklessly leading the group up the trail, practically running at a certain point. By the way, to everyone’s unknowing, I had never hiked this trail and wasn’t certain whether it actually led to the place I had in mind. Losing light fast as the sun was still poking out behind the horizon, I left the group and ran up the trail and finally found the ridge that I had in mind. It was perfect, just what I had imagined. The trail opened up on this big ridge overlooking the ocean, 180-degree view of the California coastline with nothing but earth, water, and the sky above. I quickly ran back to the group and excitedly hurried them up to the ridge to watch the last remaining seconds of the setting sun. Our group emerges onto the ridge, and I ask JP to take a picture of Hillary and I as the sun set. We took a couple pictures, and then I walked over to my backpack to hand my camera to Mandi so I had some pictures for myself. While grabbing the camera, I stealthily pulled the ring from underneath my camera and slipped it behind my back. I passed off my camera and walked back to Hillary without anyone realizing what I had in my hand, then continued to take a couple pictures. All of a sudden, I was on my knee and fumbling through some words I had planned. Hillary initially thought I was mocking her and was not happy, saying “are you kidding me right now?!”. But then, the moment completely changed as I pulled my arm out from behind my back and revealed the little black box in my hand. After that, all I can remember was Hillary’s face covered in tears, JP’s camera snapping away, Ryan hooting and hollering, and the biggest stupid grin on my face I’ve ever had.
So now...
Gobi the great
Mojave the crazy
