Ben and Mikayla first crossed paths at a party at the College of Charleston. Mikayla was a sophomore and Ben was a senior. After a few friendly encounters Ben patiently convinced Mikayla to give him a chance, inviting her on a first date to his favorite Thai restaurant, where he promised the unforgettable fire soup. Little did Ben know, Mikayla was too shy to mention her nut allergy, which meant the majority of the menu was off-limits. But like all great love stories, their first date had its awkward moments—and that’s part of what made it so memorable. From that evening on, they never stopped spending time together, and now, nearly 9 years later, they’re still inseparable. Though the restaurant is no longer around, they’ll always have fond memories of the beginning of their love story—and, of course, the fire soup.

When Ben and Mikayla decided to move from Washington, DC back to Charleston, SC, to be closer to family and start planting their roots, Ben knew it was the perfect time to propose. Just before Christmas, he asked Mikayla's father for his blessing, then worked closely with both mothers to plan the perfect proposal in June—and it truly was! Mikayla, however, was completely unaware of the whirlwind of planning behind the scenes. Between settling into her new job, frequent travels, and the upcoming move, she was distracted and oblivious to the subtle clues. Despite the fact that friends and family were dodging her calls and several locations seemed "mysteriously" unavailable, Mikayla remained blissfully clueless. The day of the proposal, Ben was in full "operation mode," trying to rush Mikayla out the door to meet her parents for dinner. Mikayla, caught in a classic wardrobe crisis—too hot to think and too tired to care—chose a simple white summer dress, quickly pulled her hair into a ponytail, and slipped on sandals for comfort on one of the hottest days of the year. As they made their way to dinner, Ben led Mikayla on an unexpected detour down Philadelphia Alley, a charming pathway lined with ivy-covered brick and classic Charleston wrought-iron gates. Mikayla was chatting away, oblivious to what was about to unfold, when Ben suddenly dropped to one knee, his words full of meaning, as he held out the ring of her dreams in front of a beautifully arranged setup. With a stunned "Yes!" the surprises continued. Mikayla's cousins, Lyndsay and Julia, appeared from behind the alley, and the happy tears began to flow. The night only got better as Mikayla was sent to a nearby rooftop bar, where she found their closest friends, her godmother, their families, and—perhaps the most special moment of all—her younger brother, Domenik. It meant more than Mikayla will ever be able to express to have him there for that moment. With countless toasts, endless tears, and smiles so wide Mikayla’s face hurt, it was truly the most perfect day—a day that made her feel deeply loved, incredibly special, and more excited than ever to begin this new chapter with Ben.

Ben and Mikayla share many interests, that connect them deeply. They love to travel, whether it’s exploring new cities or returning to their favorite spot, NYC—they’re always eager for the next adventure. Where they differ is in the kitchen: Ben is the chef, and Mikayla... is there for moral support. However she is grateful to have a built-in chef! On the nights Ben is off-duty, they enjoy trying new cuisines and discovering hidden gems in Charleston—or wherever their travels take them. Another shared passion is music. Mikayla grew up playing several instruments, and Ben has always had a love for it. He even introduced her to her first electronic music concert, where they saw Rüfüs Du Sol at an intimate venue in Charleston. That night sparked a shared love for attending concerts across all genres, and now, they can't wait to share their favorite songs and dance the night away with all of you. Through all the chapters of life they’ve shared, one thing has always been constant: their love and support for each other. No matter what life throws their way, they know they’ll always have each other to lean on—and that’s what they cherish most about their relationship.

We are so incredibly grateful to have each and every one of you in our lives. Your love, support, and presence mean the world to us, and we can’t imagine celebrating this special day without you. Whether you’ve been part of our journey for years or have just come into our lives, you’ve made an impact, and we are truly thankful for you. As we embark on this next chapter together, we feel beyond blessed to have such an amazing group of family and friends surrounding us. This day is not just a celebration of our love, but of the love and support we’ve received from all of you. Thank you for being here to share in this beautiful moment—we couldn’t be more excited to say "I Dew" at the Dewberry and to celebrate with you!