We're getting married!

It all started in training, where we were stuck sitting next to each other thanks to alphabetical order. Megan and James. Allen and Berl. A pairing we didn't see coming but one we are endlessly thankful for. At the time, we were just friends. I actually went to James and a few other friends on multiple occasions for relationship advice. But between 1.5 mile runs (James was slow), intense CT classes (I may or may not have thrown a shoe at his head for a scenario), and one particularly intense dodgeball game (he definitely hit me in the head on purpose so his team could win), a beautiful connection began to form. A few months after graduation, we caught up on a work trip and everything changed. It didn't happen overnight. We don't even have an anniversary date to mark the day we became a couple. But sometime between cheering for the Braves, volunteering for work trips so we could see each other, and realizing how natural it felt to just be us, it became more clear that we weren't just friends anymore. (Although I do like to joke that our "official" anniversary is April 1st because what better day to celebrate than MLB Opening Day?!) Over the years, we've grown through distance, unforgettable joy, and indescribable heartbreak. In 2024, we became parents to our beautiful twin boys, Henry James & Allen Coley, who were born still but live in our hearts forever. The true strength of our relationship was forged in those painful moments. James had already stepped up with our unplanned pregnancy, moved me across the country to be with him, flew with me to Houston for two surgeries to try and save our boys, and stuck with me after we lost them. He never once left my side. He loved me fiercely and was unwavering through the hardest year of our lives. James has lived out the vows of March 21st, 2026 long before he will ever speak them. Through it all, we've found comfort in laughing together, late-night sporting events, taking care of our black lab, Kinsley, and in the certainty that we are each other's home, no matter where we are. We are so lucky to be Henry and Allen's parents and we try to carry them with us in everything that we do. Now we're starting this next chapter of our life in a place that is close to James' heart and shaped his childhood - Hilton Head Island. I can't begin to tell you the amount of crazy stories I've heard about James jumping into gator infested waters or sneaking into the Westin (where we are getting married now) to get drinks and jump in the pool. I hope that I can at least be one of the "smarter" decisions he's made on Hilton Head. We can't wait to celebrate our story, our love, and our family with the people we love most and look forward to making you all an official part of our love story, as well.

Megan's Version: James and I went on vacation with his family and some close family friends, the Martins. We were out at dinner one night at the Firefly Resort in Elbow Cay. Everyone was going out to the docks prior to dinner to get some photos before it started to downpour. James and I are leading the way down to the dock when I realized nobody was following us. At that moment, I realized it was happening. I wish I could remember exactly what James said, but I definitely blacked out in the moment. He told me he loved me and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me... and I said YES!!! So thankful for Tammi, Lauren, and Jim for helping James with this surprise and for the Martins, who helped to throw an amazing engagement party for us after dinner that night! So lucky and blessed to have such a beautiful engagement to look back on despite the rainy weather. James' Version: It was a rainy Tuesday evening in Elbow Cay, Abacos, Bahamas where Megan and I were on vacation with my family and good family friends the Martins. We were getting ready to have dinner at Firefly Resort when we decided it was time to go take pictures while there was a break in the weather. Megan and I led the way down to the dock, but before separating from the group my dad handed me the ring box behind my back so Megan wouldn't see. As we got down to the dock I told Megan I loved her and she turned her head around to see no-one was behind us and she immediately had this look of surprise and happiness on her face. As I pulled the ring box from my back pocket and removed the ring I was extremely nervous about dropping the ring into the water. Luckily we had some scuba certified personnel on the trip ready to go in case of disaster. I told Megan that we had been through so much together, that there wasn't anybody I would want to do life with other than her and that I couldn't wait for the next adventure ahead of us. I'm thankful for my family who has supported us and helped with the surprise and the Martins for helping celebrate with a great after-party back at the house.