Like most modern love stories, ours started with a swipe (and a discussion about the best 90s sitcoms). Caitlin had forgotten she expanded her search radius on the app to the maximum distance allowed, which, fortunately enough, was wide enough to reach Pinehurst. We met for our first date within a week of “matching” to share tapas in Charlotte. We didn’t wait long for our second date either, getting together the next evening for beers at a brewery.

Over the next couple of months, Chris drove to Charlotte to see Caitlin most weekends until he was called for a 4 month deployment.

Again, despite time changes in different continents and Chris in the midst of a deployment, things did not fizzle out. We were able to chat every day while he was gone! Caitlin went to see him the day he returned, and things progressed from there.

We continued to develop our relationship, growing in love with the similarities we share, our plans for the future, and how our differences complement each other.

After a year or so, Caitlin made the move to Pinehurst in the summer of 2023. We made our first international trip to Portugal and Morocco in October, 2023. Chris proposed to Caitlin in Lisbon, at an overlook with a view of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.

We got married at a very small ceremony, with just our mothers present, at a beautiful park in Pinehurst on January 2nd, 2024, which would have been Caitlin’s parents 42nd wedding anniversary.

We are looking forward to adding another important milestone to Our Story timeline, when we celebrate our renewal of vows with you all in Charlotte on October 19, 2024!