On a day that feels like a million years ago in May of 2017, Marissa and I met on a summer medical mission trip to Guatemala that we both had decided to go on very last minute. We somehow had never crossed paths even though we were in the same small major at Clemson! We became fast friends on that trip. I remember one day after clinic, we were standing on the top of a mountain shooting banana peels into the trash can like basketballs, and I knew there was just something about her. When we got back to the U.S., it was so hard to say goodbye to her, but luckily, we were reunited by several trips to see each other in our hometowns over the summer and by coming back to Clemson that fall. Since then, the last 8+ years have been full of literally countless memories. We have had so many amazing times together, whether it was going to football games, traveling the world, spending holidays with our families, adopting pets together (3 so far), or just enjoying spending time together at home. We’ve had difficult times in the past, too, particularly when we had to endure long distance during my medical school and Marissa’s PA school, but we made it past all of that. Now we are loving life (despite being in residency) in Los Angeles, making new friends, exploring California, and creating new memories together. It’s crazy to think that if Marissa or I had not decided to register for that trip to Guatemala at the last minute like we did, none of this would have ever happened; but I’m so grateful that it did.

During the summer between my junior and senior year of college, I decided to go on a medical mission trip to Guatemala. The first full day we were there, I met Sophie and we became fast friends, spending the rest of our two weeks there hanging out and getting to know one another. The last night of our trip, that friendship imperceptibly shifted into something more. We went out to party with some of our friends on the trip, and when we got back, everyone else went to bed, but Sophie and I stayed up talking until probably 3 in the morning. That night I realized I never wanted to stop talking to her. After we returned home, we started texting and calling non-stop until we both decided to visit each other at our respective hometowns. After these hometown dates, my heart was certain- this girl was special and I would be foolish to let the opportunity to love her pass me by. As soon as we both returned to Clemson I asked her to be my girlfriend. From there we embarked on a wild journey as we both chased our dreams of becoming a doctor and a PA. This required long hours, multiple moves, and even two years of long distance. This didn’t stop us from continuing to love each other or being there for each other, though, if anything, it made us stronger. Instead of chasing our dreams separately we were able to be there for each other through it all and grow together. After I graduated from PA school I was able to move back to SC to be with Sophie, and soon after our next journey took us to California for Sophie’s residency. As soon as we moved out there I knew it was time to lock her down for good so I began planning the proposal that would eventually happen the following Thanksgiving, Sophie’s favorite holiday. It’s now been 8 and a half years of life spent together, and I am so excited to spend the rest of my life continuing to grow and adventure with the girl of my dreams.