In May of 2021, Zarley was just an internship away from graduating from University of Tennessee. He was moving to a new state with no clue that the love of his life would join him later that summer. Meanwhile, Leslie was finishing her junior year at Berry College and looking for a summer job. They both ended up as counselors at Camp Lakey Gap in Black Mountain, North Carolina. During the late-night shifts - between reminding campers to go to bed, routine checks, and avoiding waking up the other counselors they got to know each other more and more every night. During the weekends, when they were off duty, they would go on adventures like escape rooms with friends, visiting Highland cows, and driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains. When the summer finally came to an end, they both moved back home. Leslie returned to Berry College for her senior year, and Zarley took a job at an HVAC company in Huntsville, AL. They both knew a long-distance relationship would be tough, but they FaceTimed every night. Alternating trips back and forth, they continued to fall deeper in love. After graduating from Berry, Leslie moved to Auburn, AL for her master’s degree, while Zarley continued his career. As time passed, they kept filling their book of adventures with new memories, from riding rollercoasters at Dollywood to Zarley’s first trip out of the country. They learned that love conquers even SEC rivalries, making room for both “War Eagle” and “Go Vols” under the same roof. On August 31, 2025, after four years of dating, Zarley took Leslie back to Black Mountain and proposed at the exact spot that they first met. A thrilled Leslie said yes! From their first hello to the start of a lifetime together! They can’t wait to celebrate with their loved ones as they step hand in hand into forever, surrounded by love.