This story starts way way back on the best campus in the world - University of Maryland, College Park. GO TERPS! Fall 2006, Darrin and Liz were both taking classes at UMD as a part of the Academic Achievement Program. Although this time was when they first met, it was only the beginning of a longer love story. Fast forward to June 2021, and Autumn (Liz's niece) made a post celebrating her favorite aunts. Liz is rather radio silent on social media, but she took the leap and shared the post to her stories. Instagram alerted Darrin of the rare post by Liz, and he proceeded to slide into her DMs to say hi. Liz remembers this first DM - she was sitting on the living room floor, mother, Vianna and Chavelle all being lively and loud around her. She was surprised at the message - but forever grateful her connection to Darrin had been rekindled. The rest continues on the put put golf course.

On the yearly summer trip to Virgina, Darrin knew he wanted to propose to Liz at her favorite place (the beach) with the most important people (Vianna and Chavelle) included in it. As Liz and Vianna were out of the water, Darrin took the opportunity to tell Chavelle his plan to propose to Liz and what he needed from her. Chavelle was so excited to be apart of the plan and to know something that her mom didn't. When Vianna entered the water and Darrin told her the plan, she also was ready to go. The plan was when Darrin, Liz and the girls went out to the beach during the sunset to take pictures together, Vianna would distract Liz by pretending to drop her phone and have Liz stay back to help her while Chavelle would run up to the sand near the edge of the water and write in the sand "Marry Me" while Darrin would be on one knee with the ring. As Liz walked toward the water, Chavelle told Liz to look over in a different direction and Liz got suspicious. As Liz turned around and saw Darrin on one knee, her heart burst with love and excitement. Chavelle asked Liz if she saw the Marry Me in the sand. Liz did but still wanted Darrin to say it. Darrin proceeded to speak from his heart and profess his love for Liz and how she was the best thing to ever come in his life (don't ask what specific words he said!) and took the ring out and asked to marry her. She said YES and they kissed as everyone was so excited and so happy. We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in June!