See the winners for Vail Daily’s ‘Tell Us Your Love Story’ Valentine’s Day contest
From secret admirers and love notes to missing a shuttle home, here鈥檚 how this year鈥檚 contest winners became winners in love
Becca Tapert for Unsplash
At the Vail Daily, we love a good story, and around Valentine’s Day, we especially love a good love story. The Tell Us Your Love Story contest has been going on for over 20 years and the entries never fail to be heartwarming, surprising and hilarious at times, but they are always so inspiring.
A special thank you to everyone who took the time to write about their love and share it with us. Some of the honorable mentions can be found on VailDaily.com. Another big thank you goes to our sponsors, The Spa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, Sage Outdoor Adventures and Vista at Arrowhead. Here are the top three entries in this year’s contest.
Love in the Backseat on a Powder Day 鈥� Michelle and Alex Wit
Prize: Couples Massage from The Spa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail
It started with a wrong turn. Not in life 鈥� just in the parking lot at Vail Village. I was scrambling to catch a shuttle after a long day on the slopes when I mistakenly climbed into the backseat of a car that wasn’t mine. Instead of alarm, the driver 鈥� a guy with long snow-dusted hair and a grin that spelled trouble 鈥� turned and said, “You’re either my new ski partner or a very confident car thief.”
That was how I met Alex.
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By the time I fumbled out an apology, the shuttle I’d been waiting for had already left. Seeing my dilemma, Alex offered a ride up to Lionshead, and against all logic, I said yes. What followed was a 10-minute drive that felt like 10 seconds 鈥� our conversation bouncing as easily as fresh powder under a snowboard. He was a ski instructor, in town for the season. I was a weekend warrior, still learning how to lean into the turns.
A week later, he convinced me to join him on a dawn patrol run. I met him at the gondola before sunrise, my nerves tangling with the straps of my helmet. But the moment we carved through the untouched snow, everything else faded. The crisp air, the pink glow of first light, and Alex 鈥� who never let me fall behind despite being leagues ahead of me in skill.
We spent the season chasing powder, laughter and excuses to see each other off the mountain. That spring, when the lifts stopped running, he should have left for another resort. I was going back to Denver to finish my master’s degree. He was supposed to be crashing on my couch while he figured out his next move. One evening, as he was “looking for a place,” he swiveled his laptop screen towards me.
“Whoops,” he said, with a mischievous smile, “wrong button.” The screen showed a confirmation page for a down payment on a condo 鈥� in Denver.
Throughout the years, we’ve made our way back to the valley, and still wake before dawn on powder days to race the sun down the mountain together. But now, when I reach the bottom, I don’t just find fresh tracks, I find him, waiting 鈥� just like he always does. I love you Alex, thank you for always sticking with me and never leaving me behind!
Car Crush 鈥� Holly and Zac Traut
Prize: Dinner for two at Vista at Arrowhead
On Valentine’s Day 2008, Holly walked out of work to find a note on her car, written in red. The note said, “My car thinks your car is cute, and I like your bike racks.” The note was signed from “Black Jetta” with the name Zac and a phone number.
After some online sleuthing and a super early work arrival, Holly watched as a black Jetta pulled into the parking lot, and a super cute young man got out of the car. She texted the number to say her name and thanks for the note. The next night, Holly and Zac went on their first date.
Fast forward to Valentine’s Day 2010 when Holly and Zac were with friends skiing in Keystone. Zac asked Holly to go night skiing (which she hates), and she begrudgingly agreed. Halfway down Schoolmarm, Zac got down on one knee and proposed.
Holly and Zac got married later that year in September in Austin, Texas, and then moved to Colorado. Over the years they’ve lived in Denver, Edwards, Sun Valley and have been back in Edwards the last six years. They look forward to celebrating their 17th Valentine’s Day together doing something outdoors in the mountains!
Secret Admirer – Kip Tingle and Lauren Ciarallo
Prize: Snowmobile tour for two with Sage Outdoor Adventures
Back in 2005, my friend decided to organize a “Galentine’s” night out the week of Valentine’s Day. We met at one of our favorite spots, a cozy little joint called The George on Bridge Street. Without our knowledge, she had also invited a special guest 鈥� a guy 鈥� to join us that evening. It turned out to be a fantastic night in Vail Village, surrounded by friends I still feel fortunate to have in my life today.
Fast forward to Valentine’s Day. I was in a meeting at the Vail Valley Convention and Tourism Bureau offices beneath La Bottega when I looked up to see a colleague approaching with a vase filled with red roses. She handed them to me, and I unfolded the card: “You made an impression on me. Your secret admirer.”
Determined to uncover the identity of my Secret Admirer, I marched upstairs to A Secret Garden flower shop and pressed the florist until she finally gave me the name: Kip Tingle. A special matchmaker credit goes out to our favorite Kiwi, Victoria Watts, who orchestrated the whole Galentine’s Night with Kip involved.
Now, 20 years later, Kip and I are still writing our story 鈥� sharing crazy adventures, enjoying life in the Vail Valley, and always accompanied by a bulldog sidekick. This year we’ll celebrate this special occasion with a few laps on Chair 2 and a visit to The George, right where it all began.
