Getting Murrayed!

Colleen’s Story: It was my sophomore year and Ian's junior year at The University of Tennessee Knoxville, just a few days before the spring semester started. We had matched on a dating app, where most conversations immediately died out, but Ian caught my attention from the jump. I found myself smiling at my phone reading his funny quips, and made sure my notifications were on just for him. Coincidentally about two days later, I went with a group of friends to a bar on campus to celebrate the beginning of spring semester, which started the next day. The Half Barrel was not where we frequented, but was our destination for the night. About an hour in, I was at the bar ordering a water for my friend who desperately needed it, and I saw Ian walk in. Corny, I know, but my world stopped for just a second. Ian spotted my red hair and made his way over to me. He had never been to this bar and I was rarely there, but something brought us both there that night that made sure we made it out of the dating app trenches. From there, we both knew pretty instantly that we would have an impact on each other in one way or another. Luckily for us, that impact meant being by each other's sides through our remaining time in college, long distance, starting post-grad jobs, moving in together in a new state, and now in our engagement. We have changed and grown so much from 20 - 25, but what hasn't changed is our love for each other and our excitement for our future together. We are thrilled to celebrate those sentiments with all of you in October 2026! Ian's Story: It was January 2021 when I swiped right on this beautiful redhead and was lucky enough to get a match. We immediately started chatting and learning all about each other. I knew right from the start that there was something special about this girl and that I wouldn't have to be on a dating app ever again. Not too long after we started talking, we found each other at the same bar near campus. She wasn't hard to find, due to her stunning figure (and being the only person in the bar with bright red hair). From then on, we never went more than a day or two in college without seeing each other. When you meet on a dating site, you don't have much more to go on than each other's looks. But Colleen is the smartest, funniest, and most hardworking person that I have ever met. I loved talking to her, learning more about her, and anything that we did together. Whether we were going out with friends or watching a movie drinking wine, all I wanted to do was be with her. It was hard not being around Colleen all the time when we were long distance, but it always gave me something to look forward to - the next time I would be holding the love of my life in my arms. Growing together the last 5 years have been by far the best years of my life and I'm grateful to share the day that I change her last name for good with everyone attending the wedding.