All it took was a simple swipe with both of our thumbs and a cheesy ice-breaker to take us down a path we never would have expected, but will forever cherish. Both of us were in our senior years in college. Caleb at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, SC, and Courtney at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. While Courtney was visiting Myrtle Beach on Labor Day weekend for her best friends birthday, we matched on Tinder and thanks to Caleb’s infamous line, “I would tell you a chemistry joke, but I know I wouldn’t get a reaction.” the hook was set and the rest was history!

After 5 months of talking over the phone and video calls a state away, we finally found a date where we could finally meet in person. Caleb drove up from Myrtle Beach to Raleigh where Courtney's family lived early on Saturday morning to go hiking, attend a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game, and spend a nice day together. What Caleb didn't realize is when he would arrive at Courtney's grandparent's house where she was staying for the weekend, is that her ENTIRE family was also there to greet and get to know him, including the family's 100lb Saint Bernard. After the surprising, yet warm, greetings, we went off and enjoyed a lovely day with each other, and cemented our relationship for time to come!

After several years of dating, talks of a future together became more serious, and a hunt for the perfect ring was on! Caleb worked out a plan that one evening while on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, we would have a photographer take pictures of us and the family. All the while, Caleb kept the ring hidden away in a pocket, waiting for the best opportunity to pop "The Question". At the end of the shoot, the photographer asked if there were any more shots that anyone would like. Caleb said, "I think there is one more I would like." as he got down on one knee and showed the ring to a stunned Courtney, and asked her to marry him! She said "Yes!" without any hesitation, and through only a few tears. Now with a sparkly rock on her finger, we can't wait to add a band to it on October 23rd this year!