As Caitlin and Rick prepare to embark on the beautiful journey of marriage, their love story is one shaped by God’s perfect timing. Neither of them was actively looking for love, but as they navigated their own life journeys, God was working behind the scenes, preparing their hearts and guiding them to the moment they would meet. It was through the right people, at just the right time, that their paths crossed, and they were brought together in a way that could only be described as meant to be.

It all began when Caitlin was searching for a property to invest in with the help of her realtor, Lee Johnston. Unbeknownst to Caitlin, Lee brokers more than just real estate deals—he had a friend named Rick, who, he believed, would be a perfect match for her.

One day, over a celebratory lunch after Caitlin closed on the property, Lee casually mentioned, “I have a friend you should meet.” Caitlin raised an eyebrow, curious but cautious, thinking to herself, “You have a friend? Oh boy.” Little did she know that this friend would turn out to be the love of her life.

Caitlin wrote Lee a glowing review for his help with the property. On the other side of that Lee told Rick about Caitlin’s review as a good opportunity to get her attention. To her surprise, Rick left a comment under her post, which sparked Caitlin’s interest. Simply put, it worked. As a kind gesture, she sent Rick a friend request, unaware that this simple act would change everything. Shortly after, Rick began chatting with her, finding their conversations easy and natural.

Though Caitlin was away on vacation, Rick planned to message her the very day she returned, eager to continue their connection. Lee encouraged him to meet Caitlin. Rick, though initially unsure, thought, “Why not? It couldn’t hurt.”

Their first date turned out to be more than either of them expected. Rick started off strong by luckily speaking Caitlin’s love language right off the bat … tacos and margaritas. Caitlin arrived in a long cool black dress and white boots, while Rick showed up in his classic flannel look. She walked in, and Rick smiled his charming smile.

As they were settling in, the bartender, Mike, walked over, slammed two shots of tequila on the table, and said with a grin, “Looks like it’s your first date. Courtesy of the house!” Next thing you know, hours flew by with plenty of smiles and laughs. Mike frequented the table noticing their candor and hollered “invite me to the wedding!” from across the room leaving Caitlin and Rick blushing. They couldn’t help but laugh (needless to say, we did invite Mike!).

With the windows down and the music up, their first date was filled with easy laughter, meaningful connection, and a growing sense of something special. They had their fair share of laughs and deep conversations carrying them into the wee hours of the night. They talked about out almost everything—life, faith, family, dreams for the future.

It’s funny, in a way. Caitlin enjoys symphonies and wine and Rick feels right at home at the local honkytonk with a cold beer. She’s a West Coast girl who’s well traveled, paints and plays the piano, and he’s a Southern gentleman whose accent has gotten thicker over the years, spends his time picking guitar on the front porch and chasing deer on the weekends. On the surface, their lives couldn’t have been more different, yet somehow, they fit together effortlessly.

As time went on, Caitlin and Rick’s relationship blossomed. With the encouragement and thoughtful counsel of friends, they took their time getting to know each other, carefully unfolding each other’s stories. It became clear that this was more than just a fleeting connection. They quickly realized that they were ready to set the foundation for the rest of their lives and write their story together, one filled with love, faith, and partnership.

Fast-forward a year later, they found themselves on a small vacation to Surfside Beach. One morning they decided to wake up early and watch the sunrise. They strolled down the Surfside pier, coffees in hand, and stopped at a bench as the sun began to rise. Instead of coffee, Rick had hidden the ring inside his cup. As the sun began to peak over the horizon, it created the perfect moment, and he got down on one knee. Caitlin cried, smiled, and said yes. As fate would have it, a reporter happened to be walking by and captured the beautiful moment in a picture.

Now, they look forward to starting their life together just south of Charlotte with their daughter, Giselle, and their two dogs, Luna and Zeke. They can’t wait to celebrate with you at their New Year’s Eve wedding as they begin the next chapter of their lives.