We're getting married!

Like all great love stories, Lucas and Taylor fell in love following a hilarious and memorable meet-cute. Also, like all great love stories, this took place in an 8th-grade algebra class. After months of pining after the girl of his dreams, Taylor finally gave in to his advances after a heroic act of bravery wherein Lucas faced his fear of rollercoasters to earn her admiration. From that fated day at Busch Gardens onwards, the two have grown together as they experienced all of life's milestones side by side. After middle school, the two got to enjoy the pleasures of high school together at the prestigious institution that is West Craven High School. They challenged each other through their academic conquests, constantly competing with each other in all of their classes. They found that the longer they stayed at school, the more time they got to spend with one another; therefore, they decided to partake in any and all extracurricular activities available, such as Science Olympiad, FFA, and, of course, as part of the West Craven High School Marching Eagles. All of their hard work and effort paid off when the two of them got into the even more prestigious institution, and the best college in the state, NC State University. As one chapter ended, another exciting one was just beginning. Throughout their four years at NC State, they were lucky to have each other to lean on. Not only to weather the normal struggles faced by college students, you know, like tough exams, late labs, weird suite mates (clementine, anyone?), and worrying about paying for everything, but also some incredibly unexpected circumstances as well. Unknown to everyone, a pandemic would break out halfway through their Sophomore year, and their lives, like everyone else's, would be completely turned upside down. Alongside this, they also had to face changing career goals, new life plans, as well as a career-ending ACL tear that dashed Lucas's dreams of walking on to the football team. Yet, they leaned into each other and found strength in their love to overcome these issues. They got the chance to move in together for the first time and ultimately start their little family. What began with the adoption of the most pitiful little kitten at Taylor's vet office, Kiwi, turned into a whole crew of fur babies as they came to adopt their precious daughter, an Australian Shepherd named Winnie, and the most difficult of their animals, Kermit. The two had so much love for each other that they felt they needed to share it with those around them, causing their fur family to be ever-growing to this day (much to Lucas' dismay). The two finally graduated from college in the spring of 2022, reaping the fruits of their labors by earning degrees that once seemed so far away. However, though college seemed like the greatest challenge the two experienced together, they would soon have a real 'out of the frying pan and into the fire' moment shortly after. Due to some completely unexpected circumstances, the two had to abandon their life in Raleigh and move in with Lucas' very understanding mom and step-dad. With their life upended, they struggled to figure out what was next for them. It took a couple of months, and quite a bit of help and growing, but they eventually came out on the other side by working together and understanding that, regardless of what happens, they always have each other. Since then, the two were lucky to find jobs in their hometown where they can work in areas they are passionate about; Taylor being the Water Quality Specialist for Sound Rivers and Lucas the Eastern Regional Organizing Manager for Democracy North Carolina. As the two settled into their adult lives, they have reflected on the time they spent together and have decided to spend the rest of their lives together. Together with their children, Winnie, Kiwi, Kermit, Luma, Kirby, and Baby, they invite you to be a part of their family by joining them on this very special day. -Lucas