03.14.2026

The couple’s story began long before they started dating. They met in the summer of 2019 at Clemson University while attending an engineering program. Winston arrived a day late due to a track meet, walking into a room full of strangers and, one by one, shaking everyone’s hand with what Sydney thought was a very gentleman-like introduction — and that’s when they met. With challenging coursework and an intense academic schedule, it quickly became clear how driven and hardworking they both were. They soon noticed each other’s strengths, especially in math, and developed a healthy, friendly competition that continued throughout the following school year. When freshman year officially began, with Winston studying computer engineering and Sydney studying civil engineering, they shared many of the same introductory classes, studied together, and attended events with each other, slowly building a close friendship. That competition even turned into a bet: whoever graduated with the higher GPA would owe the other $200. When COVID struck halfway through their second semester, their friendship grew stronger through FaceTime check-ins, where they learned more about each other’s interests — including their shared love for video games. As college continued, they both participated in Clemson’s co-op program, which sent them on opposite school rotations. What could have been challenging long distance instead became a blessing, as they stayed connected through their favorite video game and grew into best friends. By New Year’s of 2023, heading into their final semesters at Clemson, their connection was crystal clear. Winston confessed his feelings over a phone call the day after New Year’s, and they both admitted what had been in their hearts all along. After talking every day for about a month, becoming a couple felt inevitable. On February 2nd, Winston asked Sydney to be his girlfriend — before they had even gone on their official first date. That first date finally came on Valentine’s Day. After nearly a year since seeing each other in person, Winston drove from Clemson to pick Sydney up at her home in Columbia. Nervously arriving at her doorstep with flowers and chocolates, like the true gentleman he is, Winston instantly felt at ease as Sydney wrapped her arms in his. They enjoyed sushi at Tsunami, and their conversation flowed as if they’d never been apart — marking the beginning of their forever. Since then, God has continued to bless the couple with new adventures: traveling across the country, graduating, starting their careers, moving to a new city, trying new foods, buying their home, and learning how to build a life together. As for that bet, Sydney won, of course — with Winston coming in close second.