Tonight is the night, we play our cards right.

In 2015, I was a handmade jewelry designer yearning to branch out, network, become a part of the local collaborative "scene" in Charleston, SC. My business partner, Tori and I had worked hard to network with well-known local artisans, influencers, and all-around-powerhouses in town. A luxury handbag line, Taxidermy, was amongst these talented names, and was hosting their first pop-up shop in Charleston that December. My partner, Tori and I thought this would be a great opportunity to meet the badass behind Taxidermy, named Amy Driggers-- So we went! All was good that night. Amy was the sweetest person we'd ever met. And in true Leah fashion, I was impulsive and bought a bag. Next thing we know it, Amy is inviting us to a bar around the corner to continue the party. I told Tori, "Let's go! We always say we want to do this kind of thing, and never follow through!" she said, "Fine, but I have finals this week, I can't be out late." Well we all know that a comment like that quickly sends any responsible curfew to it's demise. We make it to the bar, we don't know anyone, but Tori and I could talk to the buttons on our own jackets, so this was no issue. Then I was approached by a very handsome, possibly very drunk, tall man... who I come to find out is, Timmy. Spoiler alert! About 20 minutes after talking, he asks for my phone #, but then proceeds to exit the bar and get an uber without having saved my number. That's it... I guess my curfew wasn't the only thing that crashed and burned that night. Fast forward a couple of months, I had become closer with Amy of Taxidermy. I wrote her and tried to play it off like I wasn't bothered that her friend didn't successfully get my phone number... To my surprise, she responded to say, "No, he was definitely interested." (Insert big eyes with a surprised face when I read that message) Little did I know, Timmy, Amy, and her husband, Asher had been best friends for years; this would later prove that I hit the jackpot that night when I met all three of them at once. December eventually turned into March. Taxidermy was sponsoring an event for Charleston Fashion Week, that Tori and I got to attend! Low and behold, a very familiar face walked up to me and remembered every detail (except for my phone #) from a very fuzzy night in December. It was him, Timmy Sanders... he got my number this time. March turns into April.. by this point I feel a pivot. I realize that Amy is no longer my first contact for coordinating with their group, Timmy is. I had also recently learned that Timmy just accepted a job in another city, and would be moving soon. I was prepared for this, and fully expected that we'd enjoy each other's company while he was in Charleston and part ways when the time came for him to leave. April turns quickly into May... Timmy has moved to Charlotte full time. But just as I thought we'd lose touch, our communication only became more frequent. Before long, he is making a special trip to Charleston to stay with me. It was something out of a movie- picture this... I'm anxiously awaiting his arrival to my house, I haven't seen him since he moved (about a month and a half). Nervous doesn't even begin to explain it. He shows up in the drive way in a brand new muscle car, cowboy boots on, and a bouquet of flowers. Like what? Is this real life?! As the story follows: May turns into June. Timmy is now driving from Charlotte 2-3 weekends a month to see me. On June 26, 2016, Timmy and I were on a boat in the Intracoastal Waterway, and says, "Leah, will you be my girlfriend?" And the rest is history! xoxo A very patient Bride :)