If you haven't seen it already, or just want to re-watch it, copy the link here to view our wedding invitation video! https://youtu.be/fgfUPor3e9U

The first time Reilly and Robby met was in a class at NC State University, meant specifically for student athletes. Reilly and Robby were introduced to each other via a mutual friend. Reilly passed off the interaction. Robby was dismissive. The next time Reilly and Robby met was at a party. Robby knew the soccer guys that came with him to the party needed a ride home, and was starting to work angles. He learned that Reilly was driving the soccer girls and casually inserted himself in to her conversation circle. Reilly re-introduced herself to Robby. "WHAT! I already met you!" Robby proclaimed. She owed him at that point, and gave Robby and his friends a ride back to their apartment. Not without first, a stop to a fast food spot on Western Blvd, where Robby graciously gifted his Sierra Mist to his driver, Reilly, and then a parting gift of an out-of-the-way hug as a "thank you." Then things got interesting. It was all casual at first. Reilly and Robby would see each other around athletic facilities. They were sticking in the back of each other's minds, but there was no real pursuit yet. There was only very faint attraction from each side. Then Robby's roommates decided they were going to throw a party. Why? Because: college. Of course the soccer girls got invited. Robby knew Reilly was going to be there, and it made him... excited? That was a weird feeling for him to feel for this girl he had hardly met yet. But Robby was worried he wasn't going to be back in time. He already had a friend's birthday to attend somewhere else, on the other side of Raleigh. While at this friend's birthday party, he was anxious. He wanted to get back. There was a party! In his apartment! And he was missing it! Finally, someone said they were headed back. Yes! Robby thought he might make it. There was going to be time! But then, of course, someone wanted to stop at Cookout first before making it all the way back...

Robby burst into his apartment with a Cookout tray. There was a "party", if you could call it that. There was hardly anyone in there. The music was NOT bumping. The lights were on and his roommates were there. And then a small collection of soccer girls--meh, sad... But--wait! Reilly was one of them. Ok, not much of a party going on, but at least that one girl that made Robby feel some odd, exciting feeling was in the place. Robby quickly ducked into his room and put on some "college party best" clothes on (aka jeans, a t-shirt, and some high tops). He emerged from his room and it was strategy time. Robby couldn't talk to Reilly first, that would be desperate and weird. So he sparked up conversation with one of the soccer girls he already had a good friendly relationship with. He was going to let it come naturally, not push it. There was no need to rush, so Robby let it progress. And the party did progress. More people, guys and girls, showed up. The ratio was actually going ok for NC State standards! And now, because it had to be, the music WAS bumping. Damn, Robby and his roommates were actually pulling a good party off! Robby glanced over, from the conversation he was having, to the couch. Reilly was sitting there with an empty spot to one of her sides. Robby saw his "natural" chance. He sat down next to Reilly and let her (jokingly) have it: she couldn't ever remember how she met him. Reilly played along with it, and over a continuing light-hearted and laughter-filled conversation, they swapped numbers. The party continued around them while they remained flirting on the couch. They were both unconscious in conversation. Then someone asked if Robby and Reilly could scoot so they could sit. Robby wasn't going to share the couch, so he scooped Reilly up in his arms. He gently carried her to the nearby chair, and placed her on his lap. That was when Reilly's mouth dropped and she began to look at Robby in a different light...

Through several weeks of awkward, but exciting, encounters and interactions, the attraction between Reilly and Robby became more significant. The two were going out of their way to ensure they wound up in the same place, to see each other, and have a chance to have a fun experience together. Soon after, Reilly and Robby decided they were going to be exclusive, and performed the old-time millennial ritual of becoming “in a relationship” on Facebook, aka FBO. Then weeks became months. And months became years. Reilly and Robby’s relationship developed in the college years and remained relentless and unwavering through the pressures of school, soccer, social lives, internships, and even distance. The two’s mutual attraction blossomed into love; their commitment to each other entwined and matured into a strong foundation. With each new experience, Reilly and Robby began to take it on together. For Reilly and Robby, “you” and “I”, turned into “we” and “us”. This is why, when Robby approached Reilly with the thought, and tough decision, of moving to California for Robby’s career, there was no hesitation—not even a bat of an eye—the two knew they could take it on together. And to California, Reilly and Robby moved. So began “adult-life”. Decisions were harder. Gone were the days of decisions of “Goodberry’s or Baskin Robbins?” Now were the days of decisions that impacted serious long-term life paths. The strong foundation came to be tested, but was never damaged. And California tempered all of that. California was amazing. Reilly and Robby began to dig down and plant roots. They started to niche and carve themselves a future in the concrete jungle of the Los Angeles area. LA was now becoming their home. Reilly and Robby knew they had found the area they had worked together so hard for. Reilly and Robby knew this was the area they were going to continue to grow together. And now Robby knew it was time: "Reilly Christine Brown, will you marry me?"