The beginning of our story goes back to a chilly winter day at East Carolina University. We both lived in the same apartment complex, but fate brought us together at the annual Polar Bear Plunge. The challenge was simple; dive into the freezing pool and collect gemstones from the bottom to earn gift cards. Meaghan was a dedicated college student who came fully prepared with goggles and a plan to dive for as many gems as possible. After a few successful plunges, Meaghan offered the goggles to Stroud and that small gesture became the first thread in our story.

A few months later, our paths continued to cross through a mutual group of friends. We found ourselves spending more time together and cheering on ECU at countless baseball games. After months of talking on and off, we finally decided to start dating in August 2021.

Shortly after we began dating, Meaghan left to study abroad in Italy for three months. Near the end of the program, Meaghan was offered the chance to return the next semester as an intern. Meaghan begged Stroud to come along. After plenty of convincing and a successful passport appointment, Stroud joined Meaghan for a second semester abroad. We lived together in Italy for three months and this chapter shaped our relationship in the most meaningful ways. It was there that we learned the most about each other and truly fell in love.

When we returned home, we settled back into life in the United States and continued to grow together. In 2023, we made the exciting decision to move in with each other. Not long after, Stroud proposed in Highlands, North Carolina in a peaceful river where we had stopped together on a road trip in the past. Both of our families were there to celebrate with us and it was the perfect beginning to our next chapter.

We chose a long engagement with the hope of having a full year to plan our wedding after Meaghan completed her master’s degree in May 2025. Now that the time has finally arrived, we are so excited to be married and to share our most special day with all of our favorite people.