Gallery

As we left our freshman year behind at UNC, we were taking a new relationship into summer break!

We met through UNC's marching band, and realized we each shared the other's joy for life -- including dancing at band banquets, like this one in the spring of 2016.

Fall band banquet in 2016, as we began sophomore year as a couple.

In addition to our shared love of wearing Hawaiian shirts, we also realized we each enjoyed creative Halloween costumes!

Sarah is always such a good planner, which was highlighted on Brighton's 20th birthday when she coordinated a surprise brunch with friends.

"The Tar Heels are national DADGUM champions!!" Franklin Street, 2017

Junior year, as we began to hit the homestretch of our marching band careers

We have so many memories together around UNC's campus, including a great snow in January 2018.

Sarah earned a spot in a competitive class for UNC's School of Nursing in 2018 after a lot of *hard work.*

Brighton graduated in 2019 with a degree in journalism, and eventually turned his summer job into a full-time position, where he now works as news director!

Sarah graduated in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic meant a delayed commencement ceremony. When it was held in 2021, though, she was lucky enough to have Roy Williams as her speaker!

Family weddings have been a big part of the past few years, and now we're excited for ours! Taken at Lauren and Cory Weiss' in 2021.

For non-Tar Heels: the Old Well is a iconic symbol of UNC's campus, where the first students and staff got water when the university began in the 1790s.

Annual beach trips with the McConnell family at Holden Beach, NC are part of each summer

We've loved living in the Triangle area after graduating from UNC. The sunflower fields at Dorthea Dix Park in Raleigh are some of the more photogenic spots!

One of our favorite TV shows we've watched together (especially during the tough days of the pandemic) was Ted Lasso. Taken Halloween 2021, at He's Not Here in Chapel Hill.

Taken in Dupont State Forest, which was a frequent hiking spot for Brighton's family growing up. When Brighton tried to introduce Sarah to the falls, she had already been with HER family on a visit!

Our first Christmas with Enya in our Chapel Hill apartment, where we lived together for two years

Celebrating UNC men's basketball beating Duke in the 2022 Final Four. Not seen here: the COVID-19 we both caught after watching the national title game in the Dean Dome

Summer trips to Holden are good for the heart. Taken May 2022.

Moving out of our Timber Hollow apartment in Chapel Hill during the summer of 2022

Hanging out on the set of College Gameday during the show's visit to the Dean Dome on Brighton's birthday. Thanks to Megan Cain for inviting us!

Taken during a McConnell family photoshoot in 2023

A trip together to Washington D.C. was one of the highlights of 2023

Our anniversary photo in our Durham apartment in 2023

In July 2023, we adopted Laszlo from the same shelter where we found Enya. Like his sister, Laz is relatively tolerant to being dressed up in costumes Sarah finds each Halloween!

Sarah is always so supportive of Brighton in his demanding news job. Occasionally, it comes with some perks -- like this awards luncheon at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2023!

On August 10, Brighton proposed to Sarah at the Chapel Hill postcard mural -- one of the stops on their first date together back in 2016. This time, they were met by friends and family to celebrate!