Emily and Matthew first met during their freshman year at Auburn University. It was just the second week of college when fate (and a mutual friend) brought them together. Emily was giving her friend a ride home, and that friend happened to ask if Matthew could tag along. Emily agreed, unknowingly setting the stage for what would become a lifelong love story. During the ride, Emily and her friend were chatting about an upcoming sorority date function. Still new to campus and not knowing many people, Emily was brainstorming who she could ask. Her friend casually suggested, “Why not take him?” referring to Matthew in the back seat. Emily glanced at him in the rearview mirror and playfully asked, “Do you even know my name?” Matthew, totally caught off guard, blanked—even though she’d just told him. That earned a quick “Nope, not taking you,” from Emily, and the moment became a running joke between them. From there, their paths kept crossing, and their friend groups started to merge. Over time, they grew closer, and by the summer before sophomore year, they made their relationship official. They dated throughout college and eventually moved to Atlanta, where they now live with their golden retriever, Sky. After 9 years of growing side by side, Emily and Matthew are excited to begin this next chapter as husband and wife.