Our story began in a way neither of us could have predicted back in November of 2019 at Sport’s Page in Morgantown, West Virginia. It was a Browns vs. Steelers game, which Connor would never miss. Hunter, on the other hand, had a huge pharmacy school exam the next day and wasn’t exactly in the mood to go out. She showed up in leggings, a sweatshirt, and no makeup, just planning to say a quick hello to her friends then head home. That’s when Connor saw her. Something clicked, and he made his move. Unfortunately things didn’t work out… that night. A few months later everything changed when the world shut down in March of 2020. Life felt uncertain and disconnected for everyone, but somehow, in the middle of all that isolation, Hunter and Connor found each other. They started talking and got to know each other in a way that didn’t rely on dinner dates or movie nights. Just long conversation, real connection, and time. Even though they couldn’t go on a “real” date, something was definitely building. May of 2020 came along, and West Virginia passed a temporary law stating that only people with in-state licenses could buy liquor. Connor, being an Ohio guy, had a problem (or maybe an opportunity). He suddenly had a desperate need for Captain Morgan. He reached out to Hunter and asked if she could help him out. More importantly, that little favor would be their first time being together in person, just the two of them. It was the beginning of something real, and something they didn’t even fully understand yet. That bottle of Captain Morgan still sits in their kitchen cabinet today, barely touched. As it turns out, Connor was never really after the rum. Time moved on, and so did they. Life pulled them in different directions. They dated, drifted, and somehow always made their way back to each other. There was something tying them together, like an invisible string. Things really picked up speed when Connor moved to Morgantown with some friends, although that didn’t last long. After just a month, the lease ended early and he suddenly needed a place to stay. Hunter offered him a spot until he could figure something else out. What started as a temporary arrangement became something more. He never moved out, but neither of them ever really wanted him to. In July of 2022 they were quickly outgrowing the one-bedroom apartment and took a big step buying a house together. They spent months turning it into a home. In those months of renovation and chaos, their relationship grew stronger through laughing, learning, and loving this life they were building. In April of 2024, their little family grew when they adopted a beautiful, wildly energetic, Australian Shepherd named Ronin. He may be a small tornado in fur form, but he brings laughter every day, and somehow even more love. In February of 2025, they took their first solo vacation to Mexico. Hunter traveled a lot in college, but for Connor, it was his first time out of the country. They both needed an escape with time to breathe and be together without distraction. On a quiet long walk along the beach on Valentine’s Day, Connor got down on one knee and asked a question that would change everything. He asked Hunter to spend forever with him, and it was the easiest “yes” she’s ever said. Now here we are, planning a wedding, building a future, and standing on a foundation that has been through distance, growth, timing, and change, but has always come back to love. Love isn’t always about grand gestures or perfect timing. Sometimes, it’s about showing up in a sweatshirt, or offering someone a place to stay, or saying “yes” to a bottle of Captain Morgan that no one ever drinks. It’s about choosing each other every day, through every season. We are so grateful to be surrounded by people who have supported us through every step of this journey. Thank you for being here to witness the next chapter of our story. A story that, for us, feels like it’s just the beginning.