While attending school at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, our friendship began. Although on separate paths, Mallory baking and Mikey culinary, we crossed paths in class and around the school, made several runs to Chipotle together, fought in a tight race for commencement speaker (which Mallory won), and a shared interest in California, solidified our friendship. After graduating in the Spring of 2015, Mallory moved to Carmel-By-the-Sea and Mikey to Napa where we stayed in touch and shared a few meals on the West Coast. Later, in the fall of 2016, we both decided to pursue jobs and the lives we wanted, Mallory in Greenville, SC, and Mikey in Lewisboro, NY. Throughout the moves, we remained close friends with regular texts, cards, and gifts exchanged on birthdays and holidays and even a few visits to each other’s home states. Fast forward to October of 2018 when Mallory made a trip to New York City with friends from Greenville and mentioned her trip to Mikey. Despite being forever fearful of the concrete jungle, Mikey didn’t want to miss the chance to catch up with his good friend. Mikey went into the city to meet the Southern crew and share a plate of dumplings. We all walked from one end of the city to the other, enjoyed some late-night snacks, and more than a few laughs. It wasn’t until hugging each other goodnight, unsure of the next time our paths would cross, that Mikey and Mallory both realized something felt different. Since that moment, Mikey and Mallory have been in daily communication, discussing their days hoping their paths would cross again soon. Before we knew it, Mikey’s 24-hour visit to attend a party in January easily turned into a 72-hour weekend in which we realized our friendship over the past 6 years could be the foundation for a wonderful relationship.

2019 was filled with regular trips between New York and South Carolina. While we began as a couple that only saw each other every few weeks, we are willing to bet that the number of memories made during that time is more than some couples have after the first few years of marriage! Whether missed flights, delayed departures, going to the wrong NYC airport (yes, that happened), weather nightmares, illnesses, and then (2 different) hospitalizations, unscheduled car maintenance or family obligations, we were mostly entertained by our long-distance relationship. Whether in planes, boats, or cars, we wouldn’t have wanted the first year of “us” to be any other way. When the serious conversation about our next steps began, Mikey realized he didn’t want to just try dating in the same zip code, but that we were ready for something more. Mikey then met with Richard and Stacy Boyd during their August trip to NYC. Although the Christmas shops weren’t open in Bryant Park and Mrs. Boyd was disappointed, she was thrilled when Mikey asked for their blessing and support in the union of their lives and families. There were a few tears shed by all (much to Mikey’s satisfaction, and shaking nerves), he knew he had to plan the perfect proposal, to make the most important commitment to his best friend for the rest of his life.

The mountains have long been important to both of them and our first real date was an excursion to hike Black Balsam Knob in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so Mikey wanted to pick somewhere that would become significant in their lives as Mallory planned to eventually move North. Lookout Point in Mountain Lakes Camp was that place. Lookout Point is an especially important and sentimental part of Mikey’s past, as it has long been a family favorite hiking destination where he could proudly view the entire town he grew up in and all the memories that came with it. Given the importance of family to both of them, this occasion wouldn’t have been complete without Mallory’s parents, Mikey’s mom, and Dodger Dog of course. What could make the upcoming proposal more sentimental? Mikey’s Mom, Susan, offered her engagement ring to Mikey. The ring is the original ring his father, George, gave to her 29 years ago, with the diamond from Susan’s mother’s engagement ring.

Once Mikey was done crying (a few weeks later) it was all planned, complete with a drone above to capture Mikey getting down on one knee at sunset. After the official question, Dodger confirmed the ask with his custom neckerchief. While Mallory immediately responded with “Yes!” (she was a bit confused about exactly what was happening) and a dropped ring, our 3 parents walked up the wooded trail to share in a toast to us, to family, and to our life together. Within the hour we all went to dinner and the planning for September 19th, 2020, commenced! Most important to us is a wedding weekend spent celebrating with our families and friends we call family and sharing a few meals and many laughs. We thank our parents for not only helping make this weekend a dream come true but for being an inspiration on how to live our daily lives individually and together. And we especially thank all y’all for being a part of what makes this weekend, and our lives, the most memorable for all the years to come. With love, Mikey & Mallory