We met our first semester at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, sharing a 150-person lecture for POLI 101, an introductory course on the government, politics, and policies at the state and local levels of the United States federal system. Little did we know it would also be an introductory course on romance! From swapping notes to trading background, they began getting to know one another and evolved from study buddies to friends. But when Frankie invited Katie over for a salmon dinner, Katie was hesitant, and tried to steer them back to friendly territory. It wasn't until a weekend trip to Wilmington in November, where friends backed out at the last minute, that Katie finally saw the light. Their solo road trip together, and Frankie's introduction to his family, was what sealed the deal! They began dating in December, and have been together ever since!

Frankie enacted Katie's dream proposal by recreating their first kiss. Katie was in North Carolina already for a work trip, so Frankie flew into Raleigh and they drove to Wilmington together. That night, Frankie took Katie down to the beach with a cooler packed with guacamole, chips, and Gin and Tonics. This was the same cooler they had packed their first night in Carolina Beach nearly five years before. As they sat watching the sun set, Frankie proposed, and Katie said yes immediately. They headed back to their oceanfront condo rental to call family and friends and share the good news before celebrating at Lake Park Steakhouse in Carolina Beach. Following dinner, they headed to see Frankie's dad, John, play music at the Lazy Pirate, with a special song just for us! The evening was capped off with a fireworks show over the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. It was a romantic, magical evening neither will ever forget.