Spechel and Brad's love story began with a Facebook friend request. Spechel noticed Brad in her "People You May Know" section on Facebook, but she actually did not know him and they did not have many mutual friends. After a few days of seeing Brad on her feed, she did a little digging and thought he was worth the add. So she finally sent the friend request. Brad accepted her friend request on the same day and replied with a Facebook message. And the rest was history.

After a few weeks of communicating, Brad and Spechel couldn't wait to finally meet face to face. Although they had already scheduled their first date for October 27th, they decided to have an impromptu date one Sunday evening after Spechel got off work. They grabbed some dinner at a nearby Carolina Ale House and they both knew that this could be something. Spechel even went home and told her best friend that Brad was going to be her man! The two went on their real first date at the fair the following weekend and then spent almost EVERY weekend together after that.

The two continued dating for only THREE weeks before they made it official and began their courtship. They celebrated their anniversary monthly, found exciting date activities, had several photoshoots, and grew more in love. The pandemic began when they were only four months into their relationship, but they continued to let their love win.

Spechel and Brad had discussed marriage several times and even went to look at rings in August. Brad always made Spechel aware of his intentions with her and that he intended to be her husband. He orchestrated a surprise proposal at La Residence in Chapel Hill. Spechel's close friends and family, as well as Brad's, were in attendance when he popped the big question. Watch the proposal video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgW3DX79ows&t=938s