The Ultimate Basecamp
The Ultimate Basecamp
Caitlin & Joe
Our story began in a way neither of us could have scripted. Joe, a wheelchair user and public speaker, gave a speech in a class I attended during my DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) graduate program at the University of Montana. Joe was speaking on the patient perspective of living with a spinal cord injury. It was just a quick hello back then.
One year later, I was volunteering at the Wydaho Rendezvous Mountain Bike Festival at Grand Targhee Resort when we reconnected. (Joe had organized a large gathering of adaptive mountain bikers.) Soon after, Joe was back in Missoula, chasing the warm weather for paragliding. At the time, he was living out of a 5-foot-by-10-foot camper and helping to launch a new adaptive paragliding program. This is when he slid into my Instagram DMs and asked me on a date.
We hit it off right away, and after just a few days together, he asked me — very candidly — if I wanted to be his girlfriend, because if not, he was heading to California for the winter.
I said, “Yes.”
The fall evenings were getting colder, and Joe’s camper was basically an icebox, so he, quite literally, moved in during the first week we were together. That was six years ago — and from week one it was clear that what we found was rare, steady, and beautiful.
A year after moving in together, our shared sense of adventure and love of the outdoors brought us to Jackson. Life here has been filled with mountains, fresh air, and the kind of community that makes a place feel like home. It was the perfect setting for our next chapter together.
Joe proposed to me on a spring trip to Hawaii, and it was both completely surprising and perfect. We were on a bike ride with our dog George and unbeknownst to me, Joe had secretly tucked a ring into his camera bag. At one point, he asked me to come over and hold the dog, so I knelt next to him.
With tears in his eyes, Joe said, “Don’t we have the best family ever? Would you want to be my forever family?”
Then he pulled out the ring. It was simple, heartfelt, and magical — the kind of moment that perfectly captured who we are together.
From there, everything unfolded quickly. We wanted our celebration to reflect what mattered most to us: love, community, and the beauty of the mountains we call home.
One night, we went to our friend Tom’s house, just north of the Jackson Hole Airport, for a barbecue — our first time visiting since our engagement. Tom offered us his beautiful backyard as our wedding venue; it felt like the most perfect and unexpected gift. One of the sweetest moments came when we shared the news of our engagement with our close friend Adrian. She was completely overjoyed and immediately began discussing plans for a party.
Her son gently said, “Mom, I don’t think Caitlin and Joe want you to plan their whole wedding.”
And without hesitating, I told him, “We sure do!”
From that moment on, Adrian poured her whole heart into making our day magical. She planned everything — not because she had to, but because she genuinely loves creating joy for the people she cares about. Our wedding was the first she’s ever planned, and maybe the last, but she made it look effortless.
Adrian arranged every flower by hand and transformed Tom’s backyard into a true celebration space. She had ramps built so that our friends with disabilities could navigate the venue comfortably. She constructed the arch we stood under when we said our vows. She even built a bar out of a canoe and had custom pillows and glasses made just for the occasion. The amount of love, detail, and care Adrian put into every aspect of the wedding was overwhelming in the best possible way.
And as if that wasn’t enough, our close family friends made the most incredible wedding cake and an entire spread of desserts — including options for every food allergy, which was such a thoughtful touch. Our wedding was beautiful, not just because of the decorations or the setting, but because it was created by people who truly love us. Every detail was a reminder of the generosity and heart of the friends and family in our lives.
Our wedding day was graced with the kind of weather you dream about but never dare count on — especially since, just two days before, the valley was filled with smoke so thick you couldn’t even see the Tetons. Then, out of nowhere, it rained for two full days, clearing the air in a way that felt almost miraculous. By the morning of our wedding, the mountains were in full view.
The venue itself was breathtaking. The mountain backdrop, the open sky, the quiet expanse of land — it felt like the world held its breath for us that day. A little walkway led to the arch where we said our vows. It was more than I imagined, and more than I ever could have asked for.
The blend of old friends, new friends, and family all gathered in one place was a special sight. Looking around and seeing the faces of the people who shaped our lives — some we’ve known forever, and some who only recently became part of our story — felt incredibly powerful. It was a reminder of how lucky we are to have so many people walking beside us.
Perhaps the most magical part was built on something deeper — a feeling I’m increasingly reminded of as we build this life together. When we create spaces where everyone is included, supported, and celebrated, it’s incredible how effortlessly everything flows. Navigating the world with Joe has become so natural, so full of joy and partnership, that there are moments when I genuinely forget he has a disability. And that night, looking around and seeing our friends with mobility disabilities laughing, rolling across the grass, and feeling completely at ease, was extraordinary. The ramps, the accessible layout, the thoughtful planning … it all came together in a way that made the night feel deeply meaningful. It showed what love, community, and true inclusion can create. It was — in every way — magical.
Looking back, what makes our story special isn’t just the milestones — it’s the everyday life we’ve shared from that very first week of living together. It’s the adventures big and small, the challenges met hand in hand, the laughter that fills our home, and the deep sense of partnership that makes us both stronger. Our wedding was a celebration of all of that, and a promise that the best is yet to come.
Advice For Couples
Find good friends to help you. From the backyard transformed into an inclusive venue to the amazing dessert spread, our friends helped plan and organize everything. And it all came from a place of love.
THE DETAILS
Wedding Date: August 30, 2025
Ceremony and Reception Location: Private residence in Jackson Officiant: David Poole (close friend) Photographer: Cat Campbell Photography Hair & Makeup: Samantha Lower Florist and Planner: Adrian Robinson
Caterer: Blue Collar Restaurant Group Dessert Chef: Provisions, Bake Me Vegan
Rental Service: Canvas Unlimited
