In 2014, Emily asked Derek to prom. Fortunately Emily's dance moves didn't scare Derek off, and they had so much fun that the following weekend Derek traveled from The Citadel to Newberry again and took her to breakfast. Turns out there was more than the smell of eggs & bacon in the air.

On the afternoon of June 18, 2021, Derek took off work early & met Emily on Folly Beach, with champagne in tow, after her PT school final exam she had been dreading all year. Emily thought, "Wow, he's really so excited that my exam is done." One walk down the beach later, now they'll be walking down the aisle.