We're getting married!

It all began on Memorial Day Weekend in 2017 at the legendary Havermann “Creek House”, when Connor, Kelly's cousin, brought a group of his friends to join the annual family vacation. Though we didn't realize it at the time, that weekend marked the start of something special. We exchanged Snapchats and phone numbers, each of us having a small crush, but life went on and our connection remained just a budding friendship for a while. Fast forward a few months, and our paths crossed again. This time, our connection grew stronger, leading to our first date on April 15, 2018. We dined at Good Stuff Eatery in Georgetown, and then attended a Potomac High School lacrosse game. It was a day filled with laughter and shared interests, a perfect start to what would become a remarkable journey together. As the next Memorial Day Weekend at the Creek House approached, Kelly took a leap and invited TJ to her senior prom at Centreville High School, making Memorial Day Weekend even more special to us. From that moment on, we were inseparable, navigating the ups and downs of college life while maintaining our long-distance relationship. Despite our schools being five hours apart—Lynchburg and Clemson—we made it work with FaceTime calls and overnight train rides (often delayed or canceled—thanks Amtrak!). Each sleepless night and long journey was worth it, and every challenge only brought us closer together. Over the next four years, our love grew stronger as we balanced our time between long-distance during the school year and being just 45 minutes apart during the summers. This distance taught us patience, resilience, and the true value of each moment we shared. Growing up together and supporting each other through these formative years has made our bond unbreakable. Our journey reached a new milestone on August 17, 2024, when TJ proposed at Bull Run Winery. The Hyde family cleverly tricked Kelly into believing they were simply going early to the winery to secure a table, but little did she know, TJ had a surprise planned. After the proposal, we enjoyed a few precious moments alone together at the winery before heading back to the Hyde house to celebrate with our families. Today, as we prepare to start the next chapter of our lives, we look back on our journey with gratitude and joy. Our story is a testament to the strength of our love and the adventures we’ve shared. We can’t wait to see what the future holds as we continue writing our story together.