London’s Side I first heard of Ellison my sophomore year of high school when I was looking for a prom date. A mutual friend mentioned he had a friend in Beaufort who could go with me, though at the time, I couldn’t even find him on social media to stalk (as typical high school girls do). While it didn’t work out that year, the following year I finally got his number and asked him to be my “blind prom date”. We started texting on February 29th, 2020, just weeks before the pandemic. Prom was eventually canceled, but somehow that didn’t matter. We talked every single day for three months, not because we still expected to go to prom but because we both had feelings for each other. That summer, I convinced my parents to drive me to Beaufort to meet him for the first time, at a gas station off the interstate (not sketchy at all). Strangely enough, everything felt completely right. We made things official that June and began two years of long distance, hoping we’d both end up at Clemson. When we were both accepted, we finally traded a 3 hour drive for a 5 minute walk between dorms. While we didn’t have to go to college to meet the person we’d marry, Clemson gave us friends who were by our side through those years, and who will be with us on our big day! After Ellison graduated and moved back to Beaufort for work, we faced long distance once again while I finished school. But on May 25th, 2025, he pulled off the best surprise and proposed making those final semesters apart much sweeter! Through every season, God has been so faithful, and I couldn’t be more grateful to step into marriage with someone who loves me and leads me closer to Christ each day. During this season, a verse has stayed with me, reminding me that God has been writing our story from the very beginning. “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” Proverbs 16:9 While there are things I would’ve never planned, such as meeting for the first time after several months of texting during a pandemic, or enduring many years of long-distance, that is precisely how the Lord wrote our story. We have had many exciting memories over the last 6 years, but I could not be more excited for a lifetime of new adventures together! Ellison’s Side London and I met in our junior year of high school. Needing a prom date in the summer of 2020, a mutual friend put us in touch. For 3 months, we talked via the phone before ever meeting in person, due to the Coronavirus. Numerous texts led to many FaceTime calls, which eventually led to mutual feelings. We had never met in person, but I knew the girl I had spoken with for a short time was special. In May of 2020, London's family was visiting Hilton Head Island. I took the opportunity to spend the weekend with her, spending time with my family and going to the beach. After prom that June, we kept in constant contact. A few weeks later, we went on a date to the Riverbanks Zoo, where we made it official. We dated throughout high school and eventually ended up at Clemson together. After years of long distance, it finally felt like paradise with both of us so close to our dream school. After 2 years of working for Clemson Athletics and London carrying on her family's bat-girling tradition, I knew I wanted to marry this girl. I graduated in December 2024 and quickly began making plans to propose. After 10 months of planning and hiding secrets, I was blessed to make London my fiancé in May of 2025. We are so excited and blessed to be in this season of life, and could not be more thankful for what God has given us. As we move into the season of marriage, we couldn't be more grateful for our friends and family who have been with us and impacted our journey. Crazy to think how a prom date turned into forever. We are so excited to share and celebrate our special day with everyone!