Jessica - I just needed a date to my sorority formal my junior year of college, so a mutual friend set us up. I sent this friend away with a laundry list of requirements for a guy to accompany me to formal, knowing that my expectations were way over the top and I would go to the dance alone. Low and behold, I was set up with some guy who worked in the campus gym. Mack and I met in Hawk's nest at UNCW and noticed he wasn't wearing socks with his Sperry Top-Sider shoes AND he had just gotten back from the gym, so I was smitten. He impressed me so much with his intelligence and zest for life and we spent 3 hours talking about dreams, goals, and our life. I remember this feeling wash over me when we made eye contact like I was home- as cheesy as that sounds- but the feeling was so strong that I immediately went home and wrote in a diary for the first time in months describing this guy. Mack - So, the real story goes like this. I worked at the UNC-Wilmington Rec center with a friend named Brock Hall. One day Brock and I were "working" and he asks me if I wanted to go to a Semi-Formal with his girlfriend at the time's sorority sister. He promised me we would get to drink and have a good time. Naturally I agreed. Little did I know what I signed up for. A few days later Jessica texts me and we plan to meet up prior to the event. So she can make sure I am not a weirdo. We met a one of the University dining halls and spent more than a few hours together. I couldn't bring myself to leave. Once we finished getting to know one another, I walked her to her dorm and after I finally left. All I could think about was her. I'm not sure if I ever thanked Brock for the choosing me to go to the semi as Jessicas date, but that one small choice he made changed my life forever. He introduced me to the most beautiful, kind hearted and driven individual I have the honor of calling my soon to be wife.

Jessica- I had NO idea. I am still in shock and wake up in the mornings with a ring on my finger and smile. I have waited to call this man my fiancé for years and I am THRILLED that we are planning a wedding! He surprised me in Asheville, at the Grove Park Inn in front of all of our closest family. I was so excited when I realized what was happening that I couldn't speak, and the crowd that gathered had to beg me to "say yes!". It was one of the most magical moments of my life and I could not have imagined a better proposal- and I have imagined it since I was a little girl! Mack- This proposal went anything but as planned. For the last two years mine and Jessica's families have gone on a trip for New Years. This year we went to Asheville NC. Her family has always talked about how nice the Grove Park Inn is. So I planed to take us all there and surprise Jessica with a 1:1 dinner, then propose. I call and make a reservation for us and I tell Jessica it is for the whole family. The day arrives and our families all head to the Grove Park for drinks and dinner. I go to check in for the reservation and find out I made a reservation at the hotel buffet. No way was I going to propose over a Buffet... I had to pivot. I thought "okay, well I'll change it to one of the nicer restaurants." Nope, they are booked until 10pm. Pivot again. "I'll take Jessica down to the spa area in front of the waterfall they have down there and do it there. Nope... I was told you can only go down there with a separate day pass. This whole time mine and her family are aimlessly wandering around and looking at me like, "dude what is the plan?" One. More. Pivot. Thankfully there was a sleigh set up on one of the balconies. I stood there taking photos of our family members, until it was mine and Jessica's turn. I kind of blacked out here, but in front of everyone Jessica agreed to be my future wife.