Heather's POV: Zach and I met at the Rocky Mount SDA church. I was looking for a church to regularly attend and thought that finding a church close to home would be the best option. Trying my hardest to make it on time each Saturday, I ended up being late each week. Running late and trying to find a seat. I was stunned that a very cute red headed guy was sitting at the end of the last pew in the back row each week. I began to realize that I was not going to be able to show up late without being noticed because he sat in the same spot every time. This meant I had to do the quick scramble and move up a few rows closer to the front. After several weeks of having quite a few eyes on me as I came in late (including Zach's) I decided that I was going to sit in the back row regardless of him being there. I never had the chance to be so bold because he introduced himself to me that very Saturday! I was waiting after the service to eat with a family that invited me to lunch and he came up to me and introduced himself. We had hit so many different topics and the conversation was coming so easily I was surprised. After saying goodbye I realized that meeting him was fun and I hoped I would be able to see and chat with him again. Little did I know that he would later be invited to the same lunch I was going to. The wife of the family that had invited me for lunch took notice to how Zach and I were talking and helped him out by inviting him over as well. He showed up for lunch and we continued to chat. After lunch I gave him my number so that if there were any church events he could let me know. That next week he texted and asked if I would be interested walking with him and some church members on the church walk. We chatted for hours that day and ended the night with pizza and him asking me out for our first date to go see Top Gun Maverick!

Zach's POV: I’d been planning and scheming for weeks. I wanted my proposal to Heather to be one of the most amazing and memorable events of our lives. Everything had to be just perfect… and a surprise (something I knew would be a difficult feat!) Heather’s friend Katie would be coming into town for a visit soon and she could be my accomplice. During our year of dating, I learned that one of Heather’s favorite places is the beach, especially at sunrise! I secretly texted Katie and we made our plans— to be executed during her visit. Separately, Heather and Katie made plans for the three of us to spend Labor Day weekend in the beautiful beach town of Wilmington, NC, two hours away… and, at Katie’s insistence, to leave early enough to see the sunrise (per “the plan”). As they talked, Heather paused. “I don’t know, Katie. We may have to leave Zach behind for the sunrise part, because he’s not a morning person… and we want him in a good mood for the day!” Katie laughed. “We’ll see!”  It was a beautiful, clear Saturday morning, September 2, 2023. We had stayed not far from the ocean the night before to make things easier. Katie had arranged for professional photographers to meet us there. Our alarms went off as planned, but we were slow to wake up in the early morning darkness. To Heather’s surprise, I was the first to emerge dressed and ready to go! Unfortunately, I hadn’t thought about where to hide the ring box, because I didn't have a bag. I couldn’t put it in my pocket or she’d see it. At this point, the girls were waiting. Heather had been pleased at my progress earlier, but now became frustrated, because I was jeopardizing our hopes of seeing the sunrise. Exasperated, Heather announced she’d be waiting outside at the car. Fortunately, this now gave me a golden opportunity to hide the ring in a beach towel, which I handed off to Katie once we got to the car. Arriving slightly before sunrise, we breathed a sigh of relief and spread our blanket out on the sand. Heather noticed another couple toting large camera just beyond the dunes and thought that they were probably just there to see the sunrise. Unbeknownst to her, they were there to capture photos of our beautiful engagement. As the sun began to rise over the water, I knew it was “show time”! Katie asked us to pose for a picture as the clouds began to glow in the background. After a few snapshots, I pointed to the emerging scene behind her. With her back now turned, I knelt on one knee and opened the box. When she turned back around, Katie started the video recording while the waiting photographers appeared from behind the dunes and began snapping pictures. Caught off guard, Heather didn’t believe it was for real at first. She began laughing and saying, “No Way! Are you serious?” I looked in her eyes and gently pulled her closer: “Do I look serious right now?” I asked. I spoke calmly, asking the important question and assuring her of my love. Then she began to became emotional, and nodded her head up and down! We hugged each other for a long time, taking it all in, enjoying the special moment. Just then I thought of the ring, and worried it might fall out of the box into the sand. As I started to close the box, Heather yelled “No! Put it on my finger!” I could hardly get it on as she jumped up and down with excitement. Neither one of us could stop smiling. What a happy day! We had succeeded in pulling off our surprise plan and she had said “Yes!”. It was everything I’d imagined and more. And now… the journey of a lifetime begins with the one I love!