Our story began in the fall of 2021. Right when we met, we quickly knew we had a strong connection which led to lots of communication during the first month leading up to our first date. After many phone calls that would sometimes hit the 5 hour mark and lots of texting, the official plans were set for our first date.

Zack planned a perfect first date that would make any girl feel extra special. November 18, 2021 we went on our first date that started at a Candlelight String Quartet concert playing classic movie scores and ended with great conversation and drinks at the Wooden Robot in the popular South End district of Uptown Charlotte. Excited by how great the first date went, we planned to have our second date two days after the first date before Zack left to spend Thanksgiving back in Ohio with his family. While Zack was in Ohio, we continued to have phone calls to stay in touch and Zack began telling his family he met someone special. Fast forward to a week later, on our third date Zack asked me to be his girlfriend officially and the rest was history. Over the past few years we have grown together as a couple and have made sure to have a lot of fun along the way. The past few years have been filled with many milestones including moving into our first place together in 2022, starting new jobs, many road trips, and some pretty big birthdays.

One of the most exciting parts of our story is the story behind the proposal. Zack planned the most amazing surprise proposal. He and I had planned a trip to Charleston, SC for late April 2024 that would be my birthday trip. I had voiced early on that I hoped a proposal would come out of the trip and Zack quickly shot the idea down. Meanwhile, he had the ring sitting in his office the entire time and already knew he would be proposing that weekend.

On April 27, 2024 we were exploring Charleston and walking through the city, with Zack having the ring in his pocket the entire time. A little before 3 pm Zack suggested we go walk around The Battery. Once we got to The Battery I wanted to walk around the outside but Zack insisted we walk through The Battery and take our sunglasses off because the park was shaded. I agreed and was very preoccupied by native birds making the funniest sounds. Meanwhile Zack was as cool as a cucumber trying to spot the photographer he had hired to hide in the park and capture the moment. We walked up into the gazebo in the center of the park and I had my back turned and was reading writing on the ceiling when Zack got my attention. I turned around and he was down on one knee and asked the most important question. After realizing what was happening, I of course said YES! Since Zack had arranged for a photographer to capture the moment, she had caught the entire interaction and the many happy tears that followed. Right after the proposal, Zack told me that he had coordinated with my mom and step dad to have them there in Charleston and that they were here to celebrate this very special moment with us. He really pulled off the ultimate surprise making our trip to Charleston so special.

We are so excited to begin this next chapter of our lives and to have you all there to witness this special moment. Marrying your best friend is truly a dream come true.

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