We were both freshmen at the University of South Carolina when I was adjusting to the southern humidity and Will was telling anyone who would listen that he's a Panthers fan. Will was pledging to join Kappa Sigma fraternity and getting to know the older guys in the group one of whom was none other than Conner, my older brother. Through many mutual friends, we were introduced and found we enjoyed spending time together. By the beginning of sophomore year, Will got the nerve to ask me to his date party - except he didn't really ask. The text went something along the lines of, "Are you going to Darlington or what?". He was a real smooth talker! If the NASCAR race didn't seal the deal, then the time together going to Carolina sporting events and study breaks for ice cream surely did. In all seriousness, we have been surrounded by amazing friends and family since the beginning. Many of the people who will be standing by our side at our wedding were there from the day we met!

The next 5 years were filled with love and some long-distance dating. Life has taken one of the two of us to Spain, Charleston, Washington DC, and Charlotte. We've gotten good at Facetime calls and weekend visits. Luckily, I did graduate school at USC so weekends of home football games were a double win for us! Last summer before I moved to Atlanta, Will had planned the most amazing proposal. Throughout the summer, Will coordinated with our family members, hometown friends, and college friends to gather in HHI on the weekend of August 19th for the proposal. A few weeks before, he called to let me know he had gotten a reservation at the newly renovated Quarterdeck restaurant when he came to visit. When the day came, I was blissfully unaware as Will and I spent the day laying at the beach. We went to The Salty Dog Cafe for a drink before heading to Harbour Town for dinner. A typical southern, August evening thunderstorm was rolling in as we sat overlooking Calibogue Sound. Will was set on walking around the marina to the 18th green of the Harbour Town golf course. I didn't see the point of watching the grass grow in a potential storm, but he somehow convinced me. You know I love him if he could convince my stubborn self! As we walked toward the water's edge, that smooth talking guy I fell in love with at South Carolina got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of our lives together. Our families came out onto the green while family and friends waited at my parents' house for an engagement party. I couldn't have asked for anything better than a weekend celebrating our engagement with the people who mean the most to us. I cannot wait to have friends and family gather again in such a beautiful place to celebrate Will and I joining together in marriage. It means the world that you would travel to support us as we begin our lives together.