we’re tying the knot!

It was the winter of my junior year at NC State. I was recently single and not looking for anything serious. My friends at the time were all using dating apps so I decided, what the heck. I went on a few mediocre dates but was ultimately much more focused on school, friends, and meeting new people. Of course, then I started talking to Nick. I was so surprised by how natural and easy our conversations felt. I remember the weather being exceptionally icy that year, so for our first official date I invited him to come over for Chinese takeout and a movie—a romantic proposal to which he warmly accepted. I remember how effortlessly he shared stories about his family and friends, and how comfortable I felt telling him my stories too. I consider myself to be rather guarded when meeting new people, but Nick was able to "break through the walls" almost immediately. The following night was my last in Raleigh before Christmas break and we decided to see each other one last time before I left. When I went home I found that I couldn’t get him off my mind. He even ended up driving to Asheville to see me the day before Christmas Eve as a surprise! A few months later we adopted our dog, Kodi, and naturally the rest is history. I'm ceaselessly amazed by Nick's relentless love, support, and kindness. I know I couldn't get through medical school without him by my side! I thank God for the life we share and the years of love to come.

If you had told me 4 years ago what my life looked like now, I simply wouldn’t have believed you. I don’t know how in the midst of the whirlwind that is post-graduate life, I was able to find this incredible woman, let alone convince her to go on a date with me. I remember it just like it was yesterday. On the way to our first date (we met on Bumble because we’re millennials; crazy, right?) I told myself to play it cool. Don’t overshare, keep conversation light and funny, and DEFINITELY don’t mention your Nintendo Switch. I actually managed to talk myself out of feeling nervous – told the butterflies in my stomach to pound sand. Confidence is a great strategy to mask the true emotions one feels when going on an important first date. Much like those same butterflies, it all flies out the window when you first lay eyes on your absolutely stunning date. I was a train wreck trying to impress her in any way I could, even if it meant talking through the entirety of the modern horror classic, Zombeavers. My dad’s timeless dating advice swirled around in my head, “Just make her laugh and she’ll like you!” As Megan would later inform me, that strategy falls on its face when you’ve got nothing funny to add. I don’t know why she didn’t just tell me to shut up and call it off there, but I sure was lucky that she didn’t. As the conversation picked up, we both realized there was something special between us. Not just a spark at that; the wick of a stick of dynamite had been burned to its final moments. When the time had come for us to part ways, I just sat in my car for way too long with the corniest grin on my face. Much like a lovesick high school girl, I texted my closest friends that I had finally found The One, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the journey that led us to where we are now