Our story began during our sophomore year at East Carolina University—Go Pirates! What started as a casual dinner at Mellow Mushroom quickly turned into an evening we’d never forget. We spent hours talking, laughing, and bonding over our shared love of football—even after Randy found out Caela was a Panthers fan. Somewhere between the conversation and the connection, we both knew this was the start of something truly special. Randy officially asked Caela to be his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day in 2020, making their story even sweeter. Just weeks later, the world changed as the pandemic began—but distance couldn’t keep them apart. From daily phone calls to nightly FaceTime movie dates, they found new ways to stay connected until they could finally be together again. After college, they found themselves in a long-distance chapter once again—this time, even farther apart. Randy accepted a job opportunity in Arizona, while Caela remained in North Carolina to complete her Master’s degree. The eight months of distance weren’t easy, but their connection only grew stronger, and their love never wavered. In the summer of 2024, Caela made the big move to Arizona to join Randy and begin their next chapter together. Just a few months later, on July 22, 2024, Randy got down on one knee during a family vacation in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina—a place that holds a special place in Caela’s heart. They got to celebrate the best day surrounded by both their families.