After touring the University of South Carolina campus as a junior in high school, Chelsea looked to her mom with the biggest smile on her face and said "mom, you haven't seen this smile yet! I love the campus and everything about it! I even think my future husband is here." Fast forward three years. Chelsea answered the door, with curly, wet hair to a VERY handsome young, southern man (Tyler, obviously) standing next to their mutual friend. Tyler was visiting for the weekend in preparation for his transfer to Columbia, SC for school in the fall and the boys had stopped by to invite Chelsea and her roommate over for game night. Chelsea and her roommate finished getting ready and joined game night with the boys. Needless to say, by the end of Tyler's weekend visit, he had swept Chelsea off her feet. We talked on the phone over the next few weeks and had our first date, trying out a new church when Tyler moved to Columbia. Never in a million years could I have ever imagined that my husband would LITERALLY show up on my front porch.

It was the Tuesday after Tyler’s graduation weekend and Chelsea and Tyler were on vacation in Turks and Caicos with Chelsea’s immediate family. During the months of anticipation leading up, Tyler and Paula arranged “Family” Pictures as the perfect opportunity to pop the question during this getaway. After a full day of sun bathing and parasailing it was almost time for those pictures. With everyone ready, they took stroll to meet the photographer and made comments on how grey the sky was and the potential for a storm. Family photos came first and the sky was still light grey with no direct sun. But as Chelsea and Tyler began to take their couples pictures orange and blues started to cover the horizon. The most Beautiful sunset appeared, as if it were a sign of heavenly approval. With Chelsea’s family and countless strangers gazing on (which Chelsea assumed was because of the magnificent sunset) Tyler got down on one knee behind Chelsea and waited for her to turn around. Now directed by the photographer to do so, Chelsea turned and hands immediately covered her mouth. In the midst of the hyperventilation,  Tyler asked “Chelsea, will you Marry me?” And so the sun set on the beginning of an endless love.