It all started on the football field at Thomas A. Edison High School where the cross country team would meet up every day after school. Morgan, and shy incoming freshman, and TJ, a nerdy junior, both joined the varsity XC team not knowing what to really expect. Little did they know that that first day of practice on August 17th, 2013, they'd both be meeting the love of their lives. It was TJ's infectious smile and his sly sense of humor that immediately caught Morgan's attention. TJ was always making the whole team laugh but nobody laughed at his jokes more than Morgan. TJ loved that he could make Morgan smile with just one look across the field. He made sure to run next to her every chance he got. But soon the season ended and the two spent the next year exchanging shy smiles with butterflies in their stomachs as they passed each other in the halls at school. Until one day Morgan worked up the courage to give TJ her number.
After several weeks of talking day and night, TJ and Morgan had their first official date out at the movies. Expecting to feel nervous, being together felt nothing short of perfect. It was that night, on March 28th, 2015, TJ asked Morgan to be his girlfriend. They spent the following summer making as many memories as they could before TJ went off to college. The night TJ and Morgan had to say goodbye was just the first of many tough goodbyes they'd share throughout 6 long years of long distance. Their weekends and holiday breaks became such sacred moments. Every visit was filled with laughter, late-night conversations, and the kind of memories that make love flourish. After Morgan graduated college, the day finally came when she moved to Syracuse to be with TJ while he pursued his Master’s degree. It was here that they welcomed their first furry family member, a special cat named Marshall who instantly became a bundle of joy that brought them even closer together. As time went on, they began to settle into their lives, falling in love with the city they had originally planned to leave behind. They adopted a sweet dog named Mosby, who quickly became the center of their lives, and added a second cat, Murphy, who brought a quirky charm to their home. In 2023, they bought a cozy house on a quiet cul-de-sac, the perfect backdrop for the life they had long dreamed of building. Together they’ve filled each room with laughter and warmth, a testament to the love they’ve nurtured over the years.
In the summer of 2024, TJ and Morgan made an escape one weekend to the Adirondacks for a camping trip. This was their favorite getaway, one they've taken many times before, only this time would be the most special. Day two of their camping trip, TJ, Morgan, and Mosby adventured up Phelps Mountain, one of the high peaks in the ADK. Reaching the summit, they settled down to enjoy lunch and take in the breathtaking views that stretched for miles. Morgan blissfully unaware of the surprise TJ had thoughtfully planned. Just as they were preparing to head back down the mountain, TJ paused and dropped to one knee, the world around them fading into a soft hush. Morgan's heart leaped as she realized what was happening as TJ pulled out a ring, and asked the question that had been building within him for so long, “Morgan, will you marry me?”. The three of them stayed awhile longer, taking in the moment and sharing champagne at the top of the mountain, toasting to their love and the journey that led them to this point. The views, the laughter, and the magic of that moment will forever be etched in their hearts. TJ had planned the whole weekend, attempting to recreate the first camping trip they took together in the Adirondacks. From the campsite, good food, and great whiskey, to the long adventurous hike, it was most perfect weekend in their favorite place.
On this special day, Morgan and TJ will stand before their family and friends, ready to become Mr. and Mrs. Tolbert. After over a decade of shared love and memories, they look forward to a lifetime of new adventures. With every promise exchanged, they will seal the bond that all started with a shy smile on the grassy fields of their high school. They step into their forever, knowing that love like theirs was worth every day apart, every mile traveled, and every moment cherished. The most exciting chapter of their story is only just beginning.