Hillary & Mitchell

On January 14th, 2018, right in the middle of a snowstorm, Mitch asked Hillary out on their very first date. Hillary already had an idea that Mitch might have a little crush on her. A close high school friend—who just so happened to be in Mitch’s English class—once asked Hillary if she had a boyfriend. What she didn’t expect was to find out that during independent writing time, Mitch had been scribbling in his notebook… about her. Despite the snow, they decided to met up at Hillary's favorite- Graeter’s Ice Cream. What better date in January other than ice cream? Mitch pulled up in his dad’s fancy truck—he’ll tell you it was because of the storm, but Hillary might say it was to make a good first impression. They spent hours talking and laughing, learning about each other, and finding out that they had a lot of similarities. (The best has to be that we were both Ohio Sate fans). By the end of the night, it was clear to both of them that this wasn’t just another date—something real had started. Not long after, on February 2nd, Mitch saw the perfect moment to ask Hillary to be his girlfriend. The new Chick-fil-A in Milford had just opened, and after waiting an hour in the drive-thru line, Mitch handed over the meal—with a smile and a little nervous energy—and officially asked her. It was simple, sweet, and totally “them.” Over the next seven years, they built a life full of memories, laughter, love, and a few well-timed jokes from Hillary about finally getting that ring. Eventually, after Hillary graduated college, Mitch decided the time had come. He teamed up with Hillary’s mom, cousin, and sister to plan a proposal that would be thoughtful and unforgettable. They chose the Flowering Bridge in Lake Lure, North Carolina—a peaceful spot surrounded by beautiful flowers and amazing mountain views. A photographer was waiting to capture the moment Mitch got down on one knee. Hillary had no idea what was coming. When it happened, it was perfect—real, emotional, and full of love. What made it even more special was having her family there. Family means everything to Hillary, so sharing that moment with them was the cherry on top of a day she’ll never forget. Now, after years of growing together, through life’s highs and lows, Mitch and Hillary are ready for the next chapter. Their story isn’t built on grand gestures or fairytales—it’s grounded in friendship, patience, laughter, love, and choosing each other every single day. Because from the very beginning, they’ve always been better together.