We met through a mutual friend while Madi attended UNCC and Aris would come visit his friend that he knew from the Marine Corps. We instantly hit it off and bonded over their love for Christmas, dogs, and Mahogany Teakwood candles from Bath and Body Works (lol). Aris paid for Madi's dinner from a group dinner and when Madi tried to pay him back, Aris refused. This sparked a conversation and exchange of numbers and the rest is history! Fast forward 3.5 years later, Aris and Madi headed to Kure Beach to see the sunrise the day after her semester finals in PT school. Madi made us late and we almost missed sunrise (unbeknownst to her that Aris was planning to propose). But luckily, Aris made up for it and shaved some time off our drive! The proposal was a private moment, just the two of us, as we sat on the beach at sunrise - it was perfect. We then had our "after proposal debrief" over breakfast and headed to a local aquarium. Madi's favorite animal, a sea turtle, was swimming around in a rescue tank when we discovered her name to be "Maris" - a perfect mix on the most perfect day! And now here we are, planning the wedding and life of our dreams with our sweet pups, Honey and Jody. :)