Zac and Sydney’s story began on a snowy night in January 2018. It was the beginning of a new semester at UNC Charlotte, and students received the long-awaited “CLASSES ARE CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER” email. Naturally, being the scholarly and upstanding students they were, Zac and his roommates decided to throw a party to celebrate the occasion. While he was confident that the party would be fun and lead to some memorable shenanigans, Zac had no idea how special the night would become. Everything was set for a successfully obnoxious college party. Music was blaring, solo cups were out, valuables were hidden, and guests were flowing in. One guest wearing a knit cap (or toboggan) caught Zac’s eye instantly when she lit up the room, Sydney. Little did he know that she also had her sights set on him from the beginning. What ultimately attracted her to him was his long hair and, now famous, drunken dance on the countertop to Gasolina. Zac knew he would regret it if he didn’t try to talk to her. Zac, however, was notoriously scared of women, so it would take a minute for him to emotionally prepare. Before he built up the courage, Sydney took the initiative to introduce herself. They immediately hit it off and what was once just a fun party had become something much more for both of them. After neglecting the rest of the party for a while, Zac and Sydney decided that it would be fun to play some games. There was only one issue, there were no playing cards. Luckily, Sydney’s sorority sister lived a few apartments down and had some extra she was willing to part with. Zac would not let Sydney brave the cold by herself and offered to accompany her to retrieve the cards (or Sydney strongly encouraged him to go with her, who's to say). As Zac and Sydney walked to get the cards, they continued talking, knowing that the other was their person. They arrived at the apartment and were welcomed by her sorority sister with the cards and Sydney was asked if Zac was her friend. Before she could answer, Zac interjected, “Friend is a strong word,” a joke he has yet to live down to this day. While she was less than impressed with Zac’s attempt at humor, Sydney was willing to let that one slide. Since that night, the couple has talked and fallen more in love with each other with each passing day. Over the next six years, Zac and Sydney have built a wonderful life together. They have traveled to breathtaking places, from Zion National Park to Turks and Caicos. They swam with sea turtles in Hawaii and witnessed historic humpback whale gatherings in Maine. They graduated college and began their careers. However, they are most proud of becoming part of each other's families and starting a family of their own. They welcomed their crazy puppy Bear into their lives February of 2022 and buying their first home in December of 2023.

After several months of coordination, everything was set. Zac knew whatever he did had to be special because Sydney had waited long enough. After six years of dating, two years of living together, one dog adoption, and one house purchase, Zac finally popped the question on Sunday June 30, 2024. The couple was getting ready for a tour and tasting at Raffaldini Vineyard, one of their favorite date activities. Unsurprisingly they were running quite late. Usually, Zac would be unbearably stressed about arriving late to a scheduled event, but this was all a part of his plan. When they arrived at the vineyard, they were greeted at the door and told that they missed their tour, but luckily a member of the staff had an opening to take them on a private tour of the grounds. Zac and Sydney learned about Raffaldini’s history and were even offered a chance to see the original bottling facility, which was not part of the original tour. The couple was so excited for this special opportunity, but the guide “forgot” the keys and had to run back to the front desk, leaving Zac and Sydney to wait in the vinedyard’s garden walkway. Now alone with the beautiful backdrop of the vineyard, Zac turned to Sydney, dropped to one knee, and asked her to marry him. Luckily for Zac, she said YES! The next moments were a blur filled with nerves, emotion and unbridled happiness. The couple was so filled with joy and nervous energy, that neither could properly remember the moment. Sydney made Zac repeat his rehearsed proposal multiple times that day to make sure she remembered it. Luckily, a hidden photographer was able to capture every second. After Sydney said yes, the couple celebrated with a glass of wine, taking in the moment and the stunning view. They talked about their relationship and how they couldn’t wait to build a future together as husband and wife.