January 24, 2019 (Vermont) – Dating since 2014, but friends and teammates long before that, Olympic cross-country skiers Sophie Caldwell and Simi Hamilton announced their engagement on social media on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 23, while in Vermont.

Sophie Caldwell and Simi Hamilton pose for a photo after getting engaged on Jan. 23, 2019 in Vermont. © Simi Hamilton

“I’ve known it for a long while now,” Hamilton wrote, “but I’m glad you finally agreed with me that we make it official.” A short time later, Caldwell echoed the happy news, pairing a simple caption with an adorable selfie of the couple. “I love you forever @simihamilton,” Caldwell wrote, adding a smiling emoji.

The skiers don’t remember where exactly it was that they first met, though it was likely when they were teenagers. Caldwell remembers developing a crush on Hamilton at a world junior meet in 2008. From there, a friendship blossomed and developed into more.

“We were teammates and after a year or so, I think we realized we had feelings for each other that were a little stronger than just a friendship,” Caldwell told TeamUSA.org last Valentine’s Day.

Both athletes honed their skills in Vermont, as the 28-year-old Caldwell is a native of the Green Mountain State while Hamilton, 31, was a three-time All-American at Middlebury College. They both ski out of Stratton Mountain School. Caldwell is a two-time Olympian, while Hamilton has been to three Games.

Todd Kortemeier is a sportswriter, editor and children’s book author from Minneapolis. He is a contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.