Despite growing up only an hour apart, we didn’t meet until we both attended architecture school at Clemson University. During those first couple of semesters, I (Nicole) was very much a “get my work done and go home” kind of gal, while Alex had a big group of friends and practically lived in studio. Even though we spent most of our undergraduate years in close proximity, we didn’t officially meet—or become friends—until the spring semester of our junior year at the Charleston Design Center. During the 35th Anniversary of the CACC, Alex happened to be in town visiting friends. He walked up to me at the event and said, “Hi, Nicole!” I immediately knew who he was, but had no idea he even knew she existed and I am sure my face showed it. And that, my friends, is where the story begins. From there, we went on to complete three semesters of Design Build studios together throughout both undergrad and grad school!

We became close during undergrad while building our first Design/Build project together. We spent LONG hours with our group, “The Fab Four,” (if you know you know) prepping and constructing the pavilion—which meant we were around each other nearly 24/7. There were plenty of moments where Alex and I ended up working side by side on different parts of the project, and those were our little sparks of connection… plus just a wee bit of flirting. These interactions continued all semester, building momentum without either of us fully acknowledging it. Then, right near the end of the project, Alex followed me back to the CACC to drop off some tools after a long day of construction. As we were getting ready to head home, he very nervously said, “Hey, would you like to go to dinner sometime?” I immediately said, “Oh, sure!” thinking this was a totally casual, just friends kind of outing. That illusion shattered the moment he went in for an awkward side hug—which made it crystal clear this was definitely a “more than friends” question. Needless to say, we never ended up going on that dinner date. I avoided it a little because I was freshly out of a relationship, and his first attempt at asking me out was unintentionally turned down. I still remind him today that it truly wasn’t him—I just needed time to heal and do life on my own for a while after coming out of a six-year toxic relationship.

From Alex’s first attempt to ask me out to his second, we stayed good friends (despite my “more than friends” dinner avoidance). After about a year out of undergrad, we both returned to Clemson for grad school in Fall 2021. Fast forward a couple semesters, and we found ourselves right back in Charleston—once again doing a Design/Build studio together. It felt like we picked up exactly where we left off: long hours in studio, a wee bit of flirting, and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. Toward the end of the semester, those moments grew into something more. We started sitting outside in our cars after class, talking late into the night. After wrapping up in studio around midnight, we’d stay parked, talking about life, goals, dreams, and everything in between until 3 or 4 in the morning. After about a week of these late-night conversations, Alex finally worked up the courage to ask me out again. I gave him a long, rambling explanation about our friendship and his previous (unintentionally rejected) attempt, and I’m sure his heart was pounding the whole time, bracing for a second “no.” But this time…I said yes.

Our first date was a Charleston Riverdogs Baseball Game! We spent the night watching baseball, eating hotdogs, and seeing a fireworks show!

We are both Harry Potter nerds! - We spent a few of our first weeks together watching the movies over again - and have since watched them at least twice a year since being together. We both love the water! - We love kayaking/paddleboarding together or being on a boat! We both teach at Clemson University! - I teach second year, Alex is the Computation Labs Manager. We spend quite a bit of time in TJMaxx. I have hooked Alex on this! Alex loves to cook and I like to keep a clean space. It works out perfectly! We love a good board game and have spent HOURS playing Yahtzee and Scabble.