Liz knew from the first time she laid eyes on Charleston that this was where she was meant to be. She just didn’t know why. She moved to Charleston in 2022 and in the summer of 2023, Liz met James. Danielle, James’ older sister, introduced the two at the local Honkytonk Saloon. James and Liz hit it off immediately. They shared not only a lofty perspective of the world that most people never achieve (yes, they’re both very tall) but they’re also both talkers. The two spent the entire night in their own little world, discussing everything from politics and Catholicism, to their favorite podcasts and music… and even how to shoot a BB gun. James walked away from their encounter a richer man: he literally had Liz’s number, but seemed to view it more as a long term investment and didn’t immediately profit from it. A few months went by and James finally faced the reality that he wasn’t going to shake the thought of Liz. He was hounded by indecision: Should he call her? Have his sister set up a date? What about a group date? — So many questions! Finally, he decided to look up the most recent thing that happened in politics on Google and texted her, asking what she thought of it. A flimsy pretext is better than none! Liz was completely surprised when she received the out-of-the-blue text from James and couldn’t help smiling for the rest of the day. The two spent the next month sending novel-sized texts to each other that would have made Tolkien proud. This Dickensian prelude to their relationship culminated in a date they shared at the beginning of January in 2024... In which they decided not to date. However, by the summer of 2024, fate would no longer be denied: James and Liz officially began dating. They exchanged their first “I love yous” shortly thereafter. The next year flew by, full of changes, and served to cement the knowledge that they were better for the other being a part of it. It wasn’t very long before the happy couple began talking about marriage and what that could look like for them. As July 2025 began, James both designed the ring and asked Mr. Lademan for his blessing. Although the ring was not planned to come until August 7th, James got a call on July 31st saying it was ready. Not wanting to wait any longer, he, alongside his family and friends, threw together what would be the most magnificently planned engagement ever witnessed (yes, they are biased). James got down on his knee and asked Liz to spend the rest of her life with him on August 1st, 2025, on Edisto Beach and “yes” was not only the easiest but also the most obviously right answer Liz has ever given. The two have never been happier!