Kären & Jared in Northport, AL

Kären had decided to take six months to hike the Appalachian Trail solo -- until she met Jared in the Tennessee stretch. They spent the rest of the journey traveling side-by-side, and when they reached Connecticut, Jared met the whole Kokotiuk clan. I promised my parents I wouldn't bring a man home unless I was going to marry him, Kären says. For the proposal, Jared planned a long weekend in Acadia National Park where he popped the question at sunset on a secluded beach. The Bride Kären Joy Kokotiuk, 28, clinical research coordinator The Groom Jared Dwight Fulton, 26, architect The Date April 23