Mary and Will didn’t meet at their rival service academies, but their shared experiences there became an early connection. Mary attended the United States Military Academy at West Point (including a semester exchange at the Naval Academy), while Will graduated from the United States Naval Academy. Although their time at the academies never overlapped, it would take a dating app and a bit of perfect timing to finally bring them together. On July 4, 2024, Mary was visiting a friend in Annapolis, while on the same day Will was leaving Annapolis to move to Charleston, SC. Sometime before fireworks, they swiped right on each other and began talking. A few days later, Will realized Mary lived in Augusta, Georgia, about two and a half hours away from Charleston, but by then he was determined to take her on a date. They decided to meet halfway in the small town of Orangeburg, South Carolina. What started as coffee turned into a walk through Edisto Memorial Gardens, followed by Mexican food and hours of easy conversation. That first date made it clear this was something special. They spent the following months dating long-distance between Augusta and Charleston, making the most of weekends, FaceTime calls, and road trips. Eventually, Mary was able to work remotely and made the move to Charleston, turning distance into daily life together and confirming what they already knew: they’d found their person. Today, Mary and Will love running together, playing pickleball and golf, traveling, and cooking meals at home. ⸻ The Engagement It was a rare drizzly night in Charleston, and Will told Mary they were going for a walk before a surprise dinner reservation. When they arrived at White Point Garden, the rain had cleared the crowds, leaving the park almost entirely to themselves. They wandered beneath the live oaks and Spanish moss before Will led Mary to the gazebo. There, they talked about the past year and their dreams for the future - and then Will brought Mary to the center of the gazebo, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. Through happy tears and blurry vision, Mary said yes. Afterward, they celebrated at Husk - the restaurant where they’d shared their first dinner date - making the night even more meaningful by returning to where it all began.