Ben & Zoe are living proof of the invisible string theory - went to the same high school, lived in the same neighborhood, even had mutual friends - and yet, they didn't meet until Ben had graduated from high school and was already attending Clemson! Our story begins in July of 2018, when Ben and Zoe met lifeguarding at their neighborhood pool in Chapel Hill, Ridgewood Swim Club. They both have different versions of who asked who, of course, but on July 23, 2018, they went out to Caribou after their shift. They ended up talking and drinking strawberry banana smoothies until the closing shift kicked them out!

About two weeks into dating, they decided to give long distance a go. Zoe still had a year left in high school and Ben was in school at Clemson studying computer science. Regardless of school, sleep or literal hurricanes, he still made an effort to come up on the weekends (and I mean EVERY. WEEKEND.) to visit!

The summer of 2019 they got to work together again while Ben was home from school (and before Zoe headed off to college herself). Topsail has always been special to both of their families and it will always be one of their favorite spots.

The distance was made a bit easier once Zoe started studying at Appalachian State in Boone in the fall of 2019, making the drive between them a little less crazy! (3 hours instead of 5!)

Ben moved up to Boone after he graduated from Clemson to live with Zoe while she finished out her studies at Appalachian State!

In May of 2022, the couple moved out to Guildford in the United Kingdom so Zoe could complete an internship at a pharmaceutical research company over the summer.

Ben was fortunate to be able to work remote for those three months, so they were able to travel on the weekends together to places like London, Barcelona, Cambridge, Scotland, Windsor, and Brighton!

THE PROPOSAL!! Ben planned this beautiful day in a park in Surrey (he wouldn't let Zoe plan a thing so she knew something had to be up), and proposed in front of this beautiful abbey arch. Afterwards, they ate at the Blue Sardinia in Guildford and had one of the best tasting menu experiences they've ever had!

When they got back to the States, they were able to celebrate with everyone!! Such a sweet reunion :)

Zoe graduated from App & got a job at Duke! They moved to Durham in July of 2023, with their newly adopted kitty, Cowboy! (who is spoiled beyond belief, and they call him Binky more than his actual name, but adore him nonetheless). Cowboy will absolutely make his mark in some way on the big day! :)