It all began in January 2022 at a birthday party… not for a person, but for a very lucky chihuahua turning ten. While we didn’t speak much during the party, fate had a sense of humor waiting for us at the end of the night. As the last few guests lingered on the dancefloor, we found ourselves at a friend’s apartment, where Jake offered to “crack” Sophie’s back. With cowboy boots off and confidence high, he lifted her up—only to trip over those very boots and send his elbow straight into a friend’s flat-screen TV. Sparks didn’t exactly fly that night… but the memory certainly did. Months passed before Jake asked a mutual friend for Sophie’s Instagram. His first message was an unexpected note about her late father—an unusual start, perhaps, but one that showed sincerity. Not long after, fate (again!) stepped in when we bumped into each other on a street in downtown Raleigh. This time, we didn’t let the moment pass. Our first date was at a cozy Mexican restaurant, followed by ice cream. Sophie spent half the night worrying about carnitas in her teeth, while Jake just couldn’t stop smiling. From that night on, our story has been surprising, joyful, and always full of laughter. The beach quickly became the backdrop of our love. From Sophie’s roots in South Florida, to Jake’s family beach house on Oak Island, to countless trips together to the Outer Banks, the ocean has always felt like home. It was only fitting that Jake proposed on the sand in South Florida, with a stunning hand-carved sign and surrounded by Sophie’s family. And so, we’re bringing our story full circle—celebrating our wedding in Key Largo, by the sea that has witnessed so many chapters of our love.