We are so excited to celebrate with you!

Coincidentally, Ashley and I lived across the street from one another at NC State University during our junior and senior years. You would think the story of how we met would be as simple as me introducing myself to my cute neighbor, but it wasn’t until February of 2018 that our paths crossed. Ashley’s sorority, ADPi, was hosting a date function, and I happened to be going with my friend from class. When planning rides to the function, my friend recognized that Ashley and I lived in the same neighborhood and suggested we ride together. After a long haul across the street, I arrived at Ashley's door and felt a spark the moment I saw her. I immediately wished that we were each other’s dates even though I had never met her before. I did everything I could to impress her that night - told a few jokes, sang along to every song, and even showed off a couple of Bendl dance moves. We hit it off and kept in touch over the next few weeks. I knew that the ADPi Formal at the end of the school year was soon approaching and was hoping that Ashley would ask me to be her date. Sure enough, she did! Not long after, I asked her to be my girlfriend on June 8th, and the rest is history!

On December 10, 2020, Tyler flew home from Birmingham and surprised me at my apartment in Raleigh. I knew he had something special planned for the weekend, but he didn’t tell me where we were going or what it would entail. When Tyler asked me to include a swimsuit and athletic clothes in my suitcase, I came up with the idea that he had planned a relaxing weekend at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary. We packed the car and headed out for our weekend trip, but when Tyler turned left out of the parking deck, I realized we weren’t going to the Umstead. With every hour that passed, I thought we were driving to a different place. I thought of Wilmington, then Myrtle Beach, then Charleston. It wasn’t until the fourth hour that I knew we were going to my favorite place, Kiawah Island, SC. Everything was going as Tyler had planned until we hit standstill traffic on the only road leading to the island. While we sat in traffic for two hours, I noticed that Tyler seemed a tad nervous. He kept checking his phone and said that the housekeepers were also stuck in traffic, and couldn’t clean our condo, therefore pushing back check-in. We were both excited when we finally made it onto the island around six in the evening. When we pulled up to our destination, Tyler grabbed my hand and led me through the beautiful house to a stunning array of flowers, candles, and lanterns by the pool. Before I could say anything or take in what was happening, Tyler got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! A photographer was hiding in the house and captured the proposal! After the photographer left, I asked Tyler where we were staying. I thought we were at an event space, so when he said we were staying in the house we were standing in, I was over the moon and began running around to check out all the magnificent spaces. We spent the rest of our stay at Kiawah riding bikes, walking on the beach, and exploring the island. It was truly the perfect weekend!