Connor and Emma’s journey together began through an online dating app in December of 2018. They hit it off right away, exchanging silly puns and jokes with one another for hours. They both felt as though they had known each other for years. They shared many of the same core values, including their love for their close-knit families. After about a week of endless phone calls and texting, they decided to meet up in Nashville for their first date. While driving to Nashville on December 29th, 2018, Emma and Connor were on the phone discussing their plans and excitement when Connor received a call that changed both of their lives forever. Connor’s younger brother, Pierce, had been killed in a car accident. Through this horrific tragedy, Connor leaned on Emma for support through his grieving process from a distance as Connor and his family navigated through events that followed their loss. On January 3rd, 2019, Connor invited Emma to his house for their first date. Emma assured Connor that she would wait until he was ready to meet in person. With careful consideration of his needs, the two decided to spend their first date working on a Disney-themed puzzle, playing with his beloved Flemish Giant rabbit, Barley, and talking all night. Emma and Connor knew even before they met in person that they had found someone very special. They have been together ever since. Emma has always admired Connor and his family for their strength, ability to love others so deeply, and experience abundant amounts of laughter and joy even through their grief and tremendous pain.

Connor loved Emma’s patience and resilience, and how she could stay strong through trying times. He admired how she could support those around her when they needed it most and how she never backed down from adversity.

In September of 2019, Connor supported Emma through the tragic loss of her dear friend, Russell Blake. Russell had always protected and looked out for Emma. Russell told Emma one week before he died that he loved everything he heard about Connor, and believed they were a perfect match. As always, Russell was right. After Emma’s Uncle Carmine passed away in October of 2019, Connor saw that Emma needed to be reminded of the happiness that life had to offer, and assisted Emma in finding their furry “daughter”, Beanie.

From the very beginning of their relationship, Connor and Emma worked as a team to tackle the many obstacles that came their way. God has a way of placing people in your life when you need them the most, and His timing for bringing Emma and Connor together was better than either of them could have ever asked for.

Connor and Emma bring out the best in one another. They encourage each other to grow as individuals as well as within their relationship. They support each other through hardships, make each other laugh as they wipe the tears away, celebrate accomplishments, and make decisions with love and consideration for the other.

Connor proposed to Emma after picking her up from the airport on December 28th, 2022. He placed an engraved dog tag on Beanie’s harness that read “Will you marry my dad, please? Love, Beanie”, and had Emma’s grandmother’s engagement ring in hand.

“I really hate dancing but I love spending time with you” - Connor Corcoran