Melissa Genevieve Young was born on August 30, 1979, the fifth of six children, and grew up in Soda Springs, Idaho. Melissa grew up loving horses, competing in equestrian sports, and was active in 4-H and the United States Pony Club. She graduated as valedictorian of Soda Springs High School in 1997 where she was active in volleyball, dance team, Business Professionals of America, and Young Republicans. Melissa spent her junior year of high school in Washington, DC, as a page for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Melissa received her Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University in 2002 with a major in Political Science and minor in English. While at Utah State, Melissa was a member of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Board and served as president of Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honor Society. As part of her academic study, Melissa served an internship at the U.S. Embassies in London, England, and Bern, Switzerland.

Favorites:

     - movie: Life is Beautiful
    - book: The Fountainhead
    - author: Orson Scott Card
    - music artist: Indigo Girls

Peeves: mornings, watermelon, telemarketers, and America-bashers

Earliest memory: picking at the cake at her second birthday party

Latest obsession: Bernese Mountain Dogs

Favorite memory with Alasdair: hanging out on the waterfront at camp during rest hours

She’s always wishing she were: riding/grooming/feeding/watching/talking about horses.

You might be surprised that she: is addicted to American Idol and Junkyard Wars.

She knows Alasdair hates it when she: tries to do more than one thing at a time (and always fails).

She loves it when Alasdair: makes her laugh.

She’s really looking forward to: living on the same continent as Alasdair and having their first home!

Alasdair Iain Ferguson Macleod was born on March 15, 1974, the first of three children, and grew up on the island of North Uist in Scotland. He graduated from the Loretto School in Edinburgh in 1992 where he was active in the Navy cadets and the sailing team.

Alasdair received his Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Aquatic Bioscience from the University of Glasgow in 1997. After spending over a year traveling around the world (a life he still misses), Alasdair settled in London, England, and currently works as a computer technician with an international disaster recovery and high availability company.

Favorites:

    - movie: Highlander or The Lord of the Rings series
    - book: The Lord of The Rings
    - author: J.R.R. Tolkien
    - music artist: changes daily but longest running is Queen

Peeves: Blue cheeses (why, why, why eat mouldy cheese), people being inconsiderate members of society

Earliest memory: camping with his dad

Latest obsession: wedding, moving house, so much to do

Favorite memory with Melissa: evenings spent on the waterfront at camp

He’s always wishing he were: back in the South Seas or Africa.

You might be surprised that he: juggles when he is stressed.

He knows Melissa hates it when he: refuses to back down (she calls it being stubborn).

He loves it when Melissa: giggles like a shy little girl.

He’s really looking forward to: having Melissa close forever instead of just for brief interludes.