We're getting married!

It all began in 2006, when Andrew was transferred into Mrs. Winstead's 6th grade science class with Constance. Even at 11 years old, that's the day he first fell in love with her, saying to himself "I'm going to marry that girl one day..." Andrew was very patient in dealing with his feelings for her while being stuck in the 'friend-zone.' He was always someone Constance could lean on, talk to, and be her complete self around. She was too young to realize that’s what makes a perfect partner! By 2010, after a handful of heartbreaks, Constance considered her feelings for Andrew. That year the FFHS marching band was invited to participate in New Orleans Sugar Bowl half-time show. As a stubborn 14-year-old, Constance waited until the bus ride back home to have the courage to finally hold Andrew's hand for the first time. At the next school talent show, Andrew won first place for an original piano composition entitled “Holding Your Hand,” inspired by the quiet and still moment they shared. 2011 had just begun, and still, they were not dating yet. It took a very irritated best friend, Hannah Valdivieso, to tell Constance “Just do it!” because she couldn’t stand hearing her talk about him anymore! By April 3rd, 2011 Constance took away Andrew’s big moment that he'd always dreamed of by asking him out first, and of course, he said yes! Years later, on March 4th, 2017, Constance planned a surprise scavenger hunt with their closest friends for an exciting exchange of promise rings. With those rings, Constance and Andrew made the promise to keep God at the center of their relationship, to grow together in their faith, and work towards the promise of marriage.

Having just graduated from East Carolina University December 15th, 2017, Constance and Andrew decided to take a celebratory graduation/early Christmas trip to the Biltmore. The first there, they went on a candle-light tour of the Biltmore house. It was a beautiful sight with endless amounts of Christmas trees and beautiful lights. In front of the Biltmore’s tallest Christmas tree, Andrew and Constance posed for a few pictures while he held tightly onto the ring box in his pocket. They reviewed the pictures and they were okay, but too dark for capturing Andrew’s big moment, so he held off on proposing. Back at the Inn as Constance ran up to the room, Andrew asked the manager if he could play the piano to propose to his girlfriend. The manager retorted, “we only allow vendors to play this piano.” Frazzled, Andrew pulled out his business cards and explained his talents as a musician. The manager actually laughed at him, then gave a firm “no.” Strike 2! What could Andrew possibly do next? The next morning after a beautiful breakfast on the mountainside, they headed out for a rooftop tour of the Biltmore Estate. After getting some rather pricey cups of Biltmore coffee, they found their tour group. As the tour guide arrived, he told Andrew and Constance that beverages weren’t allowed on the tour. Andrew handed his still-full cup to Constance to throw away, but she took her sweet time walking to the trashcan to finish her expensive coffee. It was in this moment that Andrew quickly explained to the tour guide his need to propose, and they came up with a plan just as Constance returned. Halfway through the tour, they made it to the dome of the roof that overlooked the entire Estate. The tour guide looked at Andrew and said, “This is a beautiful spot to take photos. Shall I start with you two?” As Constance posed for their photo, she went breathless seeing Andrew fall on one knee with a tiny black box in his hand... Andrew finally heard the "Yes!" he had always dreamed of.