Welcome to the Smith love story!

The professional world of social work brought the couple together and the pair were introduced to each other during Chanel’s undergraduate internship placement at Mentor in 2010. It is not sure who requested a friend’s request first, on that blue app that we all know as the social media site Facebook. The groom took a hiatus with sporadic communication, and reached out again in 2015, when he then learned the bride had relocated back home to Pittsburgh, PA. Conversation switched from social media to text messages and brief phone calls. By mid-September, the groom decided he wanted to plan their first date. The groom suggested that they attend his Alma mater Winston Salem State University’s homecoming festivities.

Rob met Chanel at the escalators to baggage claim in the Greensboro, NC airport on October 30, 2015; both were full of smiles as they greeted with a hug. The two were private about the meeting although several of their mutual friends were at the homecoming activities. However, it didn’t take long for the news to spread that the pair were there together. The couple enjoyed each other’s company while they ate dinner at Red Lobster laughing and joking like old friends. Danced the night away at the Old School Party. And enjoyed breakfast with each other on Sunday before it was time for Chanel to depart for Pittsburgh, PA. Those 2 ½ days made the two consider exploring what was possible for the couple. That first date led to numerous text messages throughout the day and hours on end phone calls until the early morning.

Two months into their long-distance journey Rob vocalized that he couldn’t see his life without Chanel and during their first Christmas holiday together where they met in Gatlinburg, TN; he wanted to become an official couple. At that time, he presented Chanel with a promise ring that he would always be by her side and couldn’t see his future without her holding his hand. When Chanel questioned how he knew so soon, Rob’s response was “when a man knows, he knows….”

Rob decided he didn’t want the cliché Valentine’s Day proposal and he listened to Chanel saying she always wanted an intimate proposal without lurking eyes. The ring was purchased in advance after he had already gotten approval from Chanel’s parents and daughter, who also helped pick the ring. On February 5, 2022, Rob instructed Chanel that they would have a nice steak dinner at home that they would get dressed up for as if they were going out on the town. Rob planned to cook the steak while Chanel cooked the sides (cooking together is something the couple does often). Rob instructed Chanel to go get dressed and not come out until he came to get her for dinner. He was already dressed in his suit, and cooking steak to perfection. While Chanel was getting dressed, Rob decorated the dinning room table with letters that he purchased from Hobby Lobby and painted himself earlier that day. Led Chanel from the bedroom and instructed her to close her eyes. Chanel entered the dinning room with music playing on the Bluetooth speaker, 1800 Frozen Mango Margaritas to drink with the table reading “Will You Marry Me” as he dropped down to one knee with a gorgeous ring! Chanel is not an easy one to move with emotion, but Rob made her teary eyed as she said yes!