We wish we could tell you a dramatic story about how we serendipitously met on an airplane flying to an exotic country, or that Jackson heroically appeared one day to rescue Emily from a burglary and she fell for her knight in shining armor. But, alas, our story begins in a far more modern way—on Hinge.

Though Emily initially thought meeting online was a bit anticlimactic, we’re both incredibly grateful for the platform that brought us together. It allowed us to connect over shared values, laugh together, and become each other’s deepest friend and sweetest love. From the very beginning, our conversations were effortless, and we knew we had stumbled upon something special.

Our first date was on August 19, 2023, just a week after Emily moved to Durham to begin her graduate degree at Duke University. What started as a simple coffee date in downtown Durham turned into something so much more. That first date lasted five hours, and we didn’t want it to end.

A month later, Jackson officially asked Emily to be his girlfriend, solidifying what they already knew—that this was something more than either of them had experienced before. And while it’s still up for debate who said “I love you” first, it’s undeniable that they’ve been each other’s perfect match from the start.

On December 27, 2024, Jackson led Emily to a bridge overlooking the Raleigh skyline and dropped down on one knee. Emily was completely surprised! The moment was filled with so much excitement, love, and peace - saying "yes" to Jackson was the easiest decision of her life.

Since our beginning, we’ve celebrated incredible milestones together—Jackson advancing his law enforcement career by stepping into the role of Detective, and Emily successfully defending her thesis and graduating from Duke. We firmly believe God brought us together, and every step of this journey has been a blessing.

We can’t wait to celebrate this incredible new chapter with all of you as we say "I do" and begin the rest of our lives together!