It was the fall of 2007 and I was a junior at the University of South Carolina when I first met the woman who would become my wife. Our first interaction came when we were introduced, in passing, at a party that was thrown by my cousin (thanks Joe!). I was immediately intrigued by her outgoing and bubbly personality which was so contagious that everyone in the room instantly gravitated to her. However, that night was not the beginning of our love story. As the night ended, we did not exchange numbers and no real connection had been formed. I was disappointed and just chalked it up to an opportunity lost. The end of the semester and winter holiday came and went. The first day of the spring semester started like any other--new classes with new professors going through the routine of handing out and explaining syllabi. My third class of the day was International Organizations, a political science class taught by the head of the political science department. The classroom had stadium style seating. I was sitting about three rows up from the front where the white board and door to the class room were. The class began promptly at 1pm, when the professor began introducing himself and the course. About 5 minutes later, the door opened and in walked a stunningly beautiful brunette whom I instantly recognized as the woman I had met several months earlier. In her hand she held her books and a Starbucks coffee cup (tag line foreshadowing). She sat in the very front row, right in the middle and directly in front of the professor who had stopped his introduction to allow her to find her seat.

As the semester progressed it became readily apparent how tenacious of a student Iva was. She always participated in class discussions, and asked pointed, well reasoned questions. One afternoon, following the conclusion of the class, I noticed Iva looking very uncomfortable as one of our classmates attempted to ask her on a date. I decided to act, interjecting that she and I already had plans for the evening (which we didn’t 😬). He reluctantly gave up and I walked her out of the building. She then told me how this hadn’t been the first time this guy had asked her on a date and that he regularly made her feel uncomfortable. I suggested that she forego her seat at the front next to this guy and sit next to me because there was an empty seat in my row. When she agreed, I immediately became nervous, but also excited at the prospect of possibly getting to know her better. The next class, she walked past her old seat and sat next to me. I knew I was at a cross roads, knowing that our initial interactions were going to dictate which path our relationship would take. As we were preparing for the start of class, she reached into her purse, pulled out a pack of breath freshening gum, and offered me a piece. I accepted the gum and said, “Thanks... what are you trying to say?” Her face flushed a bright shade of red and she started to apologize. Before she could finish I told her I was just kidding and we both laughed. From there, the rest is history.

The first time I met Will was at a house party thrown by his cousin (hi Joey!!). It was a typical house party scene, people mingling and having conversations that college kids have. In passing, Will and I were introduced. We exchanged some words and the night ended. I walked away from the party kind of bummed that he and I didn't really seem to hit it off. I had noticed him earlier in the night, always with a group of people around him (mostly girls trying to catch his eye 😉). He was lively and outgoing. People seemed to love him and were always near him. Months passed and the spring semester began. I was taking a political science class I absolutely loved. It was in the afternoon which allowed me to lay out by the pool and get coffee before, the material was fun to learn, and the professor was not only very well versed in the course, he was the nicest person. Contrary to what Will says, I was not late on the first day! I actually got there early so I can claim my seat (front row, middle seat). Next to me sat this guy (not Will). Not only was I not looking for a relationship, I wasn't even interested in a classmate relationship with him. He didn't seem to get it. Day after day, week after week, I politely told him I'm not interested or that I can't make it to his party. One day, he was particularly pushy. In the middle of one of his invitations, I realize I've run out of excuses. Short of saying I needed to donate a kidney on Friday, I was going to find myself at this party! Out of nowhere, comes Will and says, "We're still good for tonight?" I was stunned for a minute because he and I didn't have any plans! And it was like someone pushed me from behind to say "Yeah," to get pushy guy to go away. As Will and I are leaving the classroom, I thank him for rescuing me and explain the situation with pushy guy. Will suggests I sit next to him for the reminder of the semester since there was an open seat next to him.

Now, I don't know if there actually was an open seat or not, but I took it! As the semester progressed, Will and I struck up a classmate relationship. It included the causal, "How'd you do on that exam," or "Wanna get together and study?" We eventually exchanged numbers and our conversations turned to more interesting things, like how I would bust my butt and study for exams and Will would barely open his books and get an A (🙄). I remember texting him, (back when you had to press 7 four times to get to the S) and thinking how much of a gentleman he is. Here's a guy who is handsome, intelligent, nice, and didn't play games, (you know what I'm talking about ladies) and he's talking to me? I was close to shocked. Over the weeks, our conversations got more involved and numerous. I woke up thinking about him, so I'd text him. I would get ready for bed and be thinking about him, so I'd text him. I walk into class on a particularly warm and sunny day, (now I'm coming in late because..pool...and coffee...). I think at this point the professor didn't start the class at 1pm anymore, he waited 5 minutes for me to walk in (the nicest professor ever). I always chewed minty gum after coffee (I think this was my attempt at a peppermint white chocolate mocha, because this was before those were invented). As I was rummaging through my bag for the pack of gum, I look over at Will and ask, "Would you like a piece?" You know, being polite. He looks back at me and says, in a very offended tone and with the face to match it, "What are you trying to say?" I am just blindsided by this reaction! "I wasn't trying to offend, I was just being nice," I thought to myself. I turned a bright red, my hands got all sweaty and I just wanted to disappear!! I'm pretty sure our professor saw me from the front of the classroom!! All of a sudden, Will starts laughing and says, "I'm just kidding!" Next thing I know its April 26, 2008 (the date we decided to become "official") and I'm saying, "I love you."

As some of you may be aware, Iva and I have been dating for over 10 years. We have been talking about marriage for about 5 of them. I, myself, had decided I wanted to marry her after about a year of dating, but school and life just kept getting in the way. In the spring of 2017, I decided that it was time to stop letting any sort of excuse get in the way of what I really wanted-- to marry Iva. So I began to plan my proposal. I had long known that I wanted to propose on Edisto Island. It had been such a pivotal and important place in our relationship. We had spent our first vacations and had some of our absolute happiest times together there. One of our favorite activities, while visiting, is shell hunting. We love to spend hours walking on the beach, looking for rare and beautiful shells. One of our most sought after shells is called a Banded Tulip, and I knew that I absolutely had to involve one in my proposal. My next step was to plan some time for us to go down there. I didn’t want her to be suspicious so I scheduled our trip around her birthday (July 18). I told her we were celebrating and that I would like to stop at the mall on the way down so we could get her a new dress for her birthday celebration. Once we arrived, I immediately became glued to the weather channel. I needed to pick the perfect evening where I thought there would be clear skies and a good chance for a beautiful sunset (Edisto is particularly renowned for its stunning sunsets).

I could definitely tell that Iva had become a little suspicious of my behavior, but I knew that she had no idea what was really going on. On Wednesday, July 26, I decided it was now or never. It was a little cloudy, but that often leads to an even more beautiful sunset. My brother, Andy, had come down for some beach time of his own and he graciously agreed to play a part in the proposal. As it became time, I told Iva that Andy was coming over and we were going out to eat. So she put on her makeup and new dress. As we were walking out the door, I suggested that we go down to the beach and catch the sunset. We walked along the beach enjoying the pastel colors in the sky and their reflections on the water. Once we reached a section of beach that was empty of other people, I turned and pointed out into the ocean. I told Iva to turn as well because their was a pod of dolphins swimming off shore (which there wasn’t 😬). While our backs were turned, Andy placed the ring, nestled in the opening of the banded tulip, on the sand just behind us. As Iva turned back around, slightly disappointed at missing the dolphins, she took two steps and noticed the shell that she had sought after for so long. She began to rush over to pick it up, but stopped just short. She had noticed the shining circle that was nestled inside. She turned back to me with her hands over her mouth only to find that I was on one knee behind her. She looked at me with tears welling up in her eyes and said, “You're not," to which I said “I sure am." She rushed over and wrapped her arms around me crying and holding tight (completely ignoring the ring on the ground...as the tide is rolling in). I had to pull her arms off me, and ask her to go pick up the shell and ring so I could finish my proposal. As I knelt there, I told her how much she meant to me and how I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. Finally, I asked if she would do me the honor of becoming my wife... and she said YES!!

Will & I had planned to take a week to ourselves in Edisto during July. Now, I was super excited about this because we normally don't have the opportunity to get down to Edisto in July. Before we leave, I like to do a run down of everything we need. Keys, being at the top of that list (yes, we have forgotten them before), chargers, wallets, clothing and shoes specific to what activities we have planned, etc. During this run down, (as we are walking out of the door, mind you) Will asks if I had brought something "nice" to wear. "It doesn't have to be something super fancy," he says. But I brought nothing of the sort, our plan was to go down and just relax! Accordingly, I only brought swim suits, comfy shorts and shirts, and a hat!! Feeling distressed that now we have to figure something out, we drove (out of the way) to the mall. I normally have a very difficult time finding anything I like, and when I do, it normally doesn't fit very well. However, this time I stumbled upon a pretty light orange dress. I approached, feeling similar to someone stalking prey, willing it to fit me and look well. Lo and behold, it was near perfect! Relieved I had found that something "nice" to wear, we were finally on the way to the beach! We got down on a Saturday, and used the rest of the day to decompress from traveling. Sunday came and went and Monday rolled around. Between then and Wednesday, I could tell something was on Will's mind. He seemed preoccupied and lost in thought pretty much any time I would look over at him or ask him something. I didn't ask what was on his mind, assuming he would come to me if/when he needed my advice or help with whatever it was. During these three days, Will is constantly worried about the weather... and the sunset... and the tide. This was unusual for me, to see Will concerned about the weather, or anything of the sort! Again, I just brushed it off. Wednesday comes along and Will has a plan (again, surprising for me)!

The plan was that we were to have our traditional Whaley's-Night-Out at some point when Andy, his brother, got down to Edisto. That turned out to be Wednesday, July 26. We're both getting ready to head to dinner and I'm (finally 🙄) ready when Will suggests we take a stroll on the beach to gaze at the sunset before we head out to dinner. This wasn't surprising, we love the sunsets there and hardly miss an opportunity to just be in the moment, watching the colors change. We are walking down the beach and all of a sudden Will pulls me over to him and says, "Look at the dolphins!" I'm a sucker for any animal so, excitedly, I was looking around trying to catch a glimpse of them! "No luck, I must have missed them," I thought. Disappointedly, we continue our walk when I see a banded tulip. I immediately forget about the dolphins because I am so ecstatic that I have found this shell! It is SO difficult to find whole, or with nothing living in it! I look at it closer out of sheer disbelief that I found one and THERE IS A RING INSIDE OF IT! At first I thought we had stumbled upon someone else's proposal and I'm thinking, "Huh, the tide is going to roll in and take that out to sea" (and yes, I was fully prepared to take that shell and make a run for it)! I turn around to tell Will what I've stumbled upon and see him down on one knee, smiling at me. I am in complete shock at this point. I remember saying, "You're not!" to which he replies with a nod and gesture to the shell and ring! (I am crying like a baby now.) I walk over to him and just crumble in his arms. At one point, he whispers in my ear. "Will you get up so I can do my thing?" And I remember there's a ring... in a shell... with the tide rolling in. I quickly pick it up, take it to him, he says the sweetest words (which only make me cry more). And I don't remember what exactly he said, but I'll never forget saying YES!