We're Getting Married!!

Alex and I technically met twice… but only one of us remembers the first time. Back in 2012, I spotted Alex at the mall rocking long hair, a tank top, and a plaid scarf—a bold fashion era that made a lasting impression on me. Unfortunately, Alex has absolutely no memory of this encounter, so I like to think of it as fate’s soft launch. Fast forward to 2016 at UNCW, where we officially met on the very first day of class. I was sitting across the room from Alex and quickly realized two things: he was very cute, and sitting that far away was a mistake. By the next class, I had strategically relocated to a seat directly behind him (purely academic reasons, obviously). For weeks, I waited for him to turn around and notice me. When he finally did, it wasn’t to flirt or say hello—it was to ask if I had any Advil. I did not. So romantic. Despite that, we started talking every day in class, and eventually I worked up the courage to slide into his DMs to “discuss a class assignment.” Important clarification: I did not need the answer to the question I asked—I just wanted to talk. Thankfully, he replied. Soon, we started walking together after class. This sounds normal, except we lived on opposite sides of campus. Somehow, though, I always had somewhere very important to go near Alex’s dorm, just so we could keep talking. Completely subtle. No notes. Our first date set the tone for our entire relationship. We hammocked under the pier, watched the stars, and then Alex made the questionable decision to challenge me to a race. What followed was less romantic movie montage and more unexpected face-plant into the sand. True love is him cheering anyway. We graduated college together and somehow turned all of those small, funny moments into a life I wouldn’t trade for anything. What started as a classroom crush turned into my favorite adventure—and I can’t wait to keep writing the rest of our story together.

Of all the classes I took in college, Environmental Science was the one I technically didn't even need. Looking back, it might have been the most important class of my life. On the first day, I walked into the classroom and picked my usual seat near the front and closest to the door. It was where I could focus best and keep my attention on the professor. Everything felt routine until a platinum-blonde girl with short hair took the seat directly behind me after that first class. At the time, she was just another student in the room. I had no idea that one simple seating arrangement was about to change the entire course of my life. For a while, I admired her from a distance and tried to work up the courage to start a conversation. I replayed different opening lines in my head, none of which seemed quite right. Then one day, fate handed me an excuse. I developed a sudden headache during class and turned around to ask if she happened to have any Advil. Conveniently, the headache seemed to disappear the moment class ended. It wasn't exactly the smoothest introduction, but it was enough to break the ice. From there, small conversations started to grow into something more. Every class became a little brighter because I knew she would be there. Not long after, I received a DM from her on Instagram asking about an assignment that was due. The truth was, I had no idea what assignment she was talking about. What started as a simple question quickly turned into study sessions together. We spent evenings reviewing notes, helping each other through assignments, and finding reasons to stay a little longer after the work was done. At the end of those nights, she would walk me back to my dorm. It wasn't until later that I discovered she lived on the complete opposite side of campus. She was making that long walk simply to spend a few extra minutes together, and somehow that made every conversation feel even more meaningful. Eventually, those study nights led to our first date at the beach. We set up a hammock, settled in, and spent the evening watching the night sky. As if the universe wanted to make the moment unforgettable, the moon glowed red that night. We laughed, talked for hours, and enjoyed the kind of comfort that feels rare and effortless. At one point we raced along the beach, and she spectacularly face-planted in the sand. Even that became one of my favorite memories because we couldn't stop laughing. Somewhere between the red moon, the ocean breeze, and her smile, I realized I didn't want the night to end. Eventually, I finally gathered the courage to ask her to be my girlfriend. In what may still be the cheesiest line I have ever delivered, I looked at her and asked, "Are you ready for a ride?" Somehow, she said yes. Years later, I still stand by that line because it turned out to be true. What followed has been the greatest adventure of my life. From an Environmental Science class I didn't need, to study nights, beach dates, and a lifetime of memories, every step led me to you. Thank you for the wonderful life we've built together, and here's to the rest of the ride.