Boone, NC, 2018

LuAnna was the girl next door to Corey at Green Oak Apartments in Boone, NC. It was their Junior year at Appalachian State University when they first started seeing one another.

Their first dates included walking down King St. to enjoy their favorite Thai food (Sabeing, of course), moonrises on the parkway, and exploring the trails around town.

LuAnna was taken aback by Corey's kindness and his gentle demeanor, how silly he was and his ability to make her laugh, his sweet smile, and his many humble talents.

Corey loved LuAnna's fun energy and passionate personality, her beauty and strength, her intelligence, and her delicious cooking.

They spent the next three years in Boone together, falling deeper in love.

Burlington, VT, 2020

LuAnna decided she wanted to pursue grad-school at the University of Vermont (quarter life crisis). This was a big step for their relationship though, as Corey quit his job at Misty Mountain Threadworks in Boone and followed her to VT.

Despite being very homesick, they formed community in VT and met some lifelong friends there. LuAnna continued farming while at school and Corey developed his design career while training for the Appalachian Trail (his quarter life crisis). They also adopted their first orange son, Clemmons, together (and Bunny got a little brother).

This time away from home strengthened their relationship and made them depend on one another more than they ever had. It was here that they learned to lean onto one another.

Asheville, NC, 2023

In the Spring of 2023, Corey began his hike south on the Appalachian Trail while LuAnna drove their belongings back home to NC.

The few months that Corey was on the AT was some of the hardest months for them both -- they missed each other dearly. Although they were already committed to one another long term, this time apart solidified their love for each other and the fact that they wanted to share their lives together.

Corey finished the trail and joined LuAnna in NC. They felt they could spend endless time together and not get enough. They began building their life in Asheville with new jobs, new friends, and renewed versions of themselves.

On a random Thursday evening bike ride in April, Corey popped the question and LuAnna said yes. They sat on a hay bale next to the creek and giddied over their new engagement.

They are so excited to say yes to each other on their wedding day, and for the rest of their lives.