Or at least that is the short story... In actuality, Kelly and I met in the summer of 2016. Kelly is sorority sisters with my cousin, Chandler Watson. Chandler lived with the Deas family while she worked in Atlanta between college semesters. On one sunny afternoon, Kelly FaceTimed Chandler and by sheer luck, I happened to be in the room. I made it no quiet secret that I would not soon forget meeting Kelly Donoghue. Fast forward to July of 2020, and my cousin Chandler was getting married. I was tapped as a groomsman and Kelly was a bridesmaid. Driven by unfounded confidence, I again made it no quiet secret that I was ecstatic to be at the wedding with Kelly. In the flirting performance of my life, things went reasonably well for me. We laughed, we danced, and we even shared a kiss. Following Chandler's wedding weekend, Kelly and I continued to keep in touch. I knew I had to see her again. The only problem: Kelly lived just outside of New York City, and I lived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I tell people that after my cousin's wedding, Kelly "invited" me to New York. In truth, she mentioned in passing that she'd like to see me again. I immediately sent her confirmation of my hastily made NYC travel arrangements. 2020 was a tough year for the world, but it was the best time in history to buy flights and start a long-distance relationship. My trip to New York turned into a home-and-home series. Kelly came to see me in Tuscaloosa, and I hopped on a plane to see her every chance I got. After graduating from Alabama, I joined her up north. This brings our story to the more immediate past. Living in the same place, our relationship blossomed. I knew Kelly was my forever. My next mission: Ask Kelly's father, Tom, if I could marry his daughter. I knew I needed to do it in person and wanted it to be a secret. I booked a round-trip flight from EWR to ATL. I secretly left early in the morning with the plan to return the same evening, before (I thought) Kelly could notice. After landing in Atlanta, I sat in the Donoghue's living room with Tom and Kelly's mother, Maureen. We exchanged pleasantries and I must've looked as nervous as I felt because Maureen graciously started the conversation. "So... tell us why you're here, Noland." I had written out and rehearsed what I wanted to say. For all my practice, I'm not sure it showed, but I finally spit it out. "I am in love with your incredible daughter. I would like to ask your permission to marry her." I proposed to Kelly during Thanksgiving, 2023. We were surrounded by our families inside the butterfly conservatory at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The butterflies flapping around as I got down on one knee may as well have been inside my stomach. She said "Of course!", and I am so blessed that I will soon call her my wife.