John and Ali's love story began the summer of 2017. John recently returned home from a four-year stint in the United States Army, where he was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Ohahu, Hawaii. To celebrate his return, he invited friends from Frostburg State University (or as John likes to call it, "The Harvard of Western Maryland") to enjoy some fun in the sun at his grandmother's beach house in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Meanwhile, Ali was celebrating a successful end to her first year of teaching in St. Mary's County and recently moved in with her two new friends from work, Myranda and Marisa. Myranda floated the idea of a quick beach getaway with her friends from college by Ali, and as she knew the summer was coming to an end, she agreed to the impromptu trip. Not only did Ali meet some of her very best friends that beach trip, but she also developed a huge crush on the sweet, fun-loving friend everyone referred to as "Sherm". As John and Ali said their goodbyes at the end of the weekend, John claims there was "something about her smile" that ignited the first initial spark between the soon-to-be newlyweds. The two spoke off and on and found excuses to spend time together between St. Mary's County and Annapolis, MD, all the while trying not to let their cards show about how they truly felt about each other. By September 2017, the two had become inseparable and spent every weekend together. After several months of making memories and seeing where their relationship could go, they decided to start exclusively dating in November 2017. Through long distance dating, moving to Annapolis, purchasing their first home together in Southern Maryland, and becoming part of each others' families all the while, John asked Ali to be his forever girl and spend the rest of their lives together back in Rehoboth Beach, DE - where it all began. After Ali's easiest "yes" and a football tackle/hug into the sand, the rest is history! We can't wait to celebrate the next chapter of our love with you all!