Emily moved to Memphis in the summer of 2021, fresh out of college and ready to tackle her master’s degree. Connor, meanwhile, had lived in Memphis his entire life- just waiting for Emily to show up. If we want to get technical on Em & Connor's first time meeting, that fall of 2021, Emily attended a friend’s birthday party where her good friend (and now bridesmaid) Anna Grace helped craft a very niche pickup line about moon phases they had learned in class that day. When Connor arrived at the party, Anna Grace insisted Emily use it on him. The line only made sense to Emily and Anna Grace, but Connor laughed anyway—and was intrigued by the cute girl delivering it. Emily got shy immediately after saying the pick line and ran away lol. But they would meet again shortly after… Fast forward to February 2022: Emily and Connor ended up at a Memphis Grizzlies game with mutual friends and were seated next to each other. They spent the entire game talking & giggling, and Connor was brave enough to ask for Em’s number. Although she liked this kind, Southern boy, she was juggling grad school, teaching, and figuring out life in a new city. Connor, however, was patient—and waited for her! By the summer of 2022, with a master’s degree in hand and a much-needed break from the classroom, Emily and Connor officially started dating. Since then, they’ve grown together so much, built an amazing community in Memphis, gone on countless adventures, laughed a lot, and learned what it truly means to love one another well. And on June 15, 2025, Connor popped the question. Emily said yes—of course!

Connor currently works at ALSAC, St. Jude as a logistics specialist. He loves his team and organizing the events that raise funds for the children of St. Jude! Emily is a 2nd Grade teacher at Brewster Elementary School! She currently teaches ELA and Social Studies, and is mentoring a resident from MTR as well.