Our Story
How We Met
Amazingly, the internet brought us together. We were both in a swiping mood, and were quickly swept off our feet after meeting at Hudson Hill, Hilary’s favorite Denver bar, on Dec 22, 2017. Pleasantly surprised by the ease of silly banter, Jeffrey broke his 1st date rule of only ordering 1 drink and staying for 1 hour while Hilary had already broken her rule of 2 first dates per month. Soon we created a new Jewish Christmas tradition of hiking in addition to delicious Asian food. And, the rest is history when Jeffrey asked and Hilary agreed to a long weekend in Telluride for our 5th date. Since then, we’ve been bridging the Denver-Boulder divide, sharing plenty of laughs and eye-rolls, and adventuring around the world (see proposal)!
The Proposal
Jeffrey’s intense research to understand the science behind jewelry design and material sourcing may have tipped Hilary off to an upcoming proposal. But the moment of the proposal came as a surprise and, if only it fully knocked Hilary’s socks off, her hiking socks would not be so prominently displayed in the epic photo of the proposal. After a day of hiking in the mountains of Japan's Izu Peninsula, Jeffrey finally found the perfect spot right back at their hotel on the koi feeding deck at the Arai Ryokan in Shuzenji-Onsen, Japan. He got down on one knee, Hilary got immediately teary, and Jeffrey had to ask again to get an answer out of her from behind the tears and smiles. She said yes!
Photos from our "proposal" trip to Japan? Sure! www.facebook.com/jeffzilla/media_set
Stuff to talk to us about
What else should we ask you about?
> Our mutual love of pinatas. Do you know the name of the pinata that keeps Jeffrey company in his car?
> A theme of our go-to travel accommodations for US road trips. (Hint: This is not airbnb and some have amazingly wonderful names likes Silver Saddle, Rabbit Ears and Briny Breezes)
> Jeffrey aimed to wow when he drove Hilary to Telluride on their 5th date. Know why Hilary heroically drove Jeffrey all the back from Telluride on their next visit a month later? Just note, there’s a reason Jeffrey’s memory of this event is clouded.
> Kayaking/floating down the Colorado River and the near disaster moment
> When in Denver, the epic stock show and reasons we love it! Mariachi bands may be one possible answer
Tell us some travel stories...
Panama
> Making an emergency landing the jungle of Panama
> Searching for the now oh-so-trendy sloth and soon thereafter finding ourselves in the outlet of an underwater river in a bat cave near the resident crocodile
> What we learned about our Spanish and the best ice cream!
> Pics from Panama - www.facebook.com/jeffzilla/media_set
Japan
> All the food! Who ate the fish eyeball? And yes, you can ask why!
> The tallest fluffiest pancakes we’ve ever seen.
> Hilary’s endless quest for breakfast and her developing love of bento.
> Pics from Japan - www.facebook.com/jeffzilla/media_set
China
> The contrast of the tallest building in China to some basement places that include include near-stellar photo ops and lots of propaganda posters
> Pics from China - www.facebook.com/jeffzilla/media_set
Montreal
> Fireworks, Bixi bikes, and all the amazing food made Hilary ready to work on her very rusty french
> Pics from Montreal - www.facebook.com/jeffzilla/posts/10107073762280583
Where should we be heading next? We’d love to hear your thoughts for planning our upcoming adventures at Love@HilaryandJeffrey.com .
What was your most memorable date?
So far, our epic trip to Japan, where we got engaged!
Where are you going for your honeymoon?
Good question! Have a suggestion? Email it to us at Love@HilaryandJeffrey.com
What's the best meal you have eaten together?
The giant lobster salad we ate with Brad and Talitha in Montreal.
What's the most memorable trip you have taken together?
We've been on a bunch of great trips. Ask us about Panama, Japan, China, Telluride, New York, Florida, Colorado River, Lost Lake, Montreal, California, Utah, Wyoming, etc...