In 2011 at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Amelia saw a dashing young Purina Representative, Camden, giving a lecture to her first year veterinary class on the importance of low fat diets for patients with GI upset. She knew she had to meet him. In a slightly stalker way, Amelia quickly managed to convince Camden to rendezvous under very false pretenses of discussing an externship program to Germany. There, in the outdated 1970s hallways of the old Auburn Teaching Hospital, a spark was ignited. The rest, they say, is history. Over the next few years Camden and Amelia grew as young veterinarians - and as friends (and more!). As their veterinary schooling came to a close, their relationship strengthened into a lasting bond that has taken them on multiple cross country moves, through internships, residency programs and, finally, actual jobs. Their growth and change as a couple and as professionals have only brought them closer.
The Rockies hold a very special place in Camden and Amelia's hearts. In 2015 they moved to Colorado together, where all of their time off work was spent hiking in the mountains and drinking all the beers. Amelia even learned to ski at Arapahoe Basin (where the wedding is!). They cherish their memories in Colorado and jump at any chance to visit, which is why it was a no-brainer to make everyone go there for their wedding!
In 2017 Camden secured a coveted position as a veterinary cardiology resident at The University of Florida, located in Gainesville, aka, the armpit of Florida. Leaving Colorado was a huge bummer, but Camden's dreams more than justified heading down to the swamp for a few years. The couple quickly realized that Florida was not the state for them, but between the mullet hair styles and the copious mosquitoes, they came to truly appreciate their time spent in the Sunshine State's alternate universe. Although their farmer tans have faded, the Florida fashion will forever be imprinted on their lives, as will the lasting friendships they made.
In September 2019, on a small Philippine island, Camden and crew (Rachel, Paul, Kathryn, Tom and Ty) planned the ultimate surprise engagement for Amelia. Under the guise of celebrating Amelia's 30th birthday, Camden arranged a "special surprise" one evening. As he guided her, blind folded, down a long bamboo pier surrounded by the gentle lapping of the Sulu Sea, Amelia started to suspect that something important was about to transpire. With their friends anxiously watching from the shore, Camden got down on one knee and proposed as the sun set in exploding, technicolor perfection. The evening was filled with celebrations around a heart shaped fire with Asti rosé (...we have to take what we can get on remote Southeast Asian islands).
When Camden completed his cardiology residency at the University of Florida in March 2020, the couple set off for adventures to a new mountain range, the Smokies! They now reside in Charlotte, North Carolina, working at a private practice veterinary specialty hospital - yes, working at the SAME hospital. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on their ability to fully explore their new state, they have taken the opportunity to break in their new home with as many succulents as humanly possible, imbibe in outdoor drinking, hike all the surrounding peaks and find a legit crab cake dealer.