On a chilly evening on January 27th, 2017, Steven wrapped up his shift in Durham and hurried over to downtown Raleigh, excited to meet his beautiful Tinder date at 7 p.m. sharp. They had picked the Big Easy, one of Steven’s all-time favorite spots for a cozy dinner. Arriving a little early, he rushed in to snag a table, only to find out that the restaurant was fully booked for a wedding party! No worries, though—downtown Raleigh was filled with delightful food options just waiting for them to explore. He strolled next door to his favorite bar, Coglins, and called his date, but there was no answer. As he glanced at his watch, noticing it was a few minutes past 7, he figured he might have been stood up. Just as disappointment settled in, his phone rang, bringing a spark of hope! It was the end of a long, busy rehearsal day, and Jenny was tired and sweaty, eager to get home and freshen up for her date. She hurried through her routine, doing everything she could to look her best, but time seemed to slip away. She found herself caught in Friday night traffic on the way to downtown Raleigh, already running late. As the minutes ticked by, she focused on finding a parking spot, missing a call she didn’t notice until she had parked. She quickly dialed the number back, her heart racing with anticipation. When she finally arrived at Coglins, a little breathless and still trying to calm her nerves, she saw him. Standing there in a sharp suit, with a warm smile that made her heart skip a beat, he rose to greet her. In that moment, everything seemed to fall into place, and she couldn’t help but feel the flutter of excitement—this was the beginning of something special. Over the past eight and a half years, we’ve experienced so much together—joys, challenges, laughter, and adventures. We’ve faced ups and downs, but through it all, our love has grown stronger and deeper, far beyond that chilly night in Raleigh when we first met. We are incredibly grateful for every moment—the struggles, the victories, and all the little things in between that have shaped us. Now, as we celebrate this special chapter, we want to share it with the people who have been there for us every step of the way—our amazing friends and family. You’ve each played such an important role in our journey, and without you, our story wouldn’t be the same. We can’t wait to gather with you in May 2026 for a wedding celebration full of laughter and love!