Undeniably, I could never find a single lackluster DNA strand in Andrea… we are twins after all! Nevertheless, it goes without saying, none of us are perfect. (At least this is what I’m told and tell my son on a frequent basis.) While any should strive for greatness, being perfect is an unobtainable measure for any to meet. However, there are sometimes exceptions to rules. I found this to be true when Andrea introduced us to Eric. Through the years of getting the privilege to be in Eric’s presence, one can quickly deduce that Eric is perfect. Perfect for Wyoming’s wildlife, perfect for “twinning” with notable politicians (Yea!), perfect as an integral part to our family, and best of all: perfect for & with Andrea. Eric has already felt like my brother for some time, one I can laugh with and confide in at any time, so I can’t wait for September 1, 2018 to arrive to make it official. I am so excited for Andrea’s hunt to be over by getting to share her life with the man of her dreams. Much congratulations to both Andrea and Eric! Your day can’t come soon enough! Cheers and love.
"When I first met Andrea [in California], we were being forced to do a team building activity at a work retreat. There weren't that many young people in our group, so I noticed her right away, and when I realized she was completing the activity in business casual clothes but bare feet, I knew we were going to be fast friends. She had just bought her house and in a desperate attempt to befriend the blonde and barefoot beauty, I offered to help her paint and get moved in. Andrea is a wonderfully sentimental person, and by unpacking all of her mementos with her, I got to hear many stories and memories from her well-traveled and exciting past, and since Eric is prominently featured among her things, I got to hear all about him as well. From the beginning it was clear that Eric was special. Item by item we got to know each other better, and by the time her house was repainted and her belongings displayed, we were bonafide friends. We've both since moved on from our overlapping jobs at USFS (no number of team building exercises could have saved that group), but our friendship has remained intact, in spite of the states that now lie between us. I couldn't be more excited to stand by Andrea's side as she marries a person who complements her so perfectly."
While I wouldn't call it a traditional start to a friendship, Andrea and I soon became fast friends.
To back up a bit, during the summer of 2012, Andrea took my now-husband and four other guys out on a backpacking trip in the northern end of the Wind River Range. 40 miles to the south, I was on my first backpacking trip in the Winds as well.
The trips overlapped by a few days, and when all was said and done, a large crew of us met at the local brewpub for beers and grub. I was promptly seated next to Andrea, who I was not fond of, due to the fact that she went on a backpacking trip with MY boyfriend. She had heard of me on her trip, and leaned over to say, "oh you're Ali! How are you?"
As rude as ever, I responded, "fine".
This is the sweetest person I could have ever met, and here I was treating her like dirt. Thankfully, I got over my nonsense, and she was kind enough to overlook it, and in the weeks to come we became more acquainted with one another. The rest, they say, is history.
I've shared many years of friendship, watched her relationship with Eric blossom from the very beginning, and couldn't ask for a better, more thoughtful friend. What a special treat to be included in this sure-to-be memorable day. Cheers to our dear friends!
I first met both Andrea and Eric, at different times, while I was working for the BLM in Pinedale. Andrea, while striving to complete some long awaited interpretive signs, and Eric, while zen gardening. I knew them separately at first, but always had a feeling that they would be prefect for each other and actually surprised that they had not found each other already! It seemed so obvious to me that they should be together. It took a little doing, but eventually they did find each other, and I was honored to witness the beginning of their love story. Andrea and I have sense grown to the best of friends and have shared many adventures together; from being snowed on in the Circs in August, to horse camping in the Wyoming range, to exploring the California coast line. And of course there have been several epic Rendezvous where Eric sold his beard. Andrea and Eric fit together like the snow on the peaks of the Winds and I am so happy to be party of their wedding and celebration of the rest of their lives together! I love you guys!
"My wife and I first met Eric [in Pinedale, WY] when he became our neighbor and we went to his door, introduced ourselves and welcomed him to the neighborhood. It was friendship at first meet! We know Andrea thru her assistance via the Forest Service (navigating the special use permit maze). So when Eric started dating Andrea it was obvious she was a match as she was the first woman who could keep up with him while hunting. Since then we've hunted together, gone fishing together, played softball together, partied together, hiked together, and thoroughly enjoyed their friendship. Congratulations Eric and Andrea!"
Ages ago, or so it seems, I pulled into Pinedale, Wyoming on a dusty September day. At first it felt empty, but little did I know that this sleepy cow town was filled with people who would soon become lifelong friends. Two of those people were Andrea and Eric.I first met Andrea via her then roommate Luke Schultz. I was standing in their kitchen slurping up antelope stew when in walked Andrea in her telltale stride. She had the firmest handshake of anyone I'd ever met, complemented by her genuine and infectious laugh/clap combo. We became fast friends as Andrea introduced me to the trails and woods of the Bridger-Teton National Forest while I introduced her to New York sarcasm. A year or so later, I was interviewing Eric for a story (though in truth we probably did more drinking and exchanging of stories than uncovering of hard news). We were seated at the Brewpub and in walked Andrea. We chatted, I introduced her to Eric, and then I left to complete some unremembered task. Little did I know that this candid introduction would lead to Eric and Andrea's marriage. This is the second Wyoming wedding I've officiated in as many weeks. According to the Pinedale Roundup this makes me me the most sought after officiant in the Cowboy State. It's frightening to think I'm the holiest guy in the room, but nevertheless I am honored and delighted to narrate Andrea and Eric's union.