Denver Engagement: Wildlife Reserve

September 12, 2025

I met Callista and Hunter at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge to celebrate their engagement. We had a beautiful evening!

Callista shares, “We met during the summer of 2019 working together as lifeguards. We instantly hit it off and spent the whole summer together. I first noticed Hunter’s appearance and how handsome he was. I fell in love with his sense of humor as soon as we spoke.”

Hunter continues, “About 5 months after the summer we met had ended and I was in college we started talking again. Callista asked to come see me while I was studying for my degree. The night she arrived we talked for a long time and I realized I had found a woman who pushed me to be a better version of myself. That night I knew I could see myself with her and told her I loved her. 6 years later here we are getting married and settling down!”

Callista shares the proposal story, “I planned a little “glamping” getaway weekend in Monument. We spent the weekend relaxing together and enjoying nature. On Saturday we planned to go hiking at Garden of the Gods, where he led me down a path to a lookout spot and proposed! It was a complete surprise, but it was perfect and intimate. He had his aunt hide in the nearby bushes and capture the moment!
The weather forecast showed rain, which would’ve been fine, but he was freaking out on the way there and wouldn’t tell me why! I didn’t figure it out until afterwards. Luckily the day was beautiful and sunny!

Hunter continues, “After going through major life changes, multiple moves, animals and family tragedies, I realized that there was no one else by my side getting through it and truly understanding our path.

I struggled for a while trying to find a perfect spot and to get all of the details together.

I walked Callista up a path at Garden of the Gods to a place beyond the walking paths and fence where the mountains where in the background. I caught her completely off guard doing so and it took a second to get my words out, but we stood talking for a little and coming to a realization of our future together.”