Zach and Emma met in seventh grade. At the time, Emma's best friend had a crush on Zach, so it was her duty to bring the two together (as good girlfriends do in middle school). In the process, Zach and Emma became close friends by spending long summer days at the neighborhood pool, running around Disney parks because of various band trips, and sitting together at lunch freshman year of high school. Zach even tried to convince Emma to join the track team so the two could spend more time together, but his invitation was quickly declined without a second thought! After a couple of years, Emma had failed at sparking a relationship between her two dearest friends, but she did start to develop feelings of her own...and she wasn't alone...

In tenth grade, Zach asked Emma on their first date before first period one August morning. Emma was leaving the band room to walk to her math class when Zach nervously walked toward her from the main building. He stopped her, took a deep breath, and asked if she'd like to go to the movies with him that weekend. With hearts beating fast, she said yes and the two walked to first period with BIG smiles on their faces. Their chance to finally be together was happening!

Zach and Emma's first date is something they will remember forever. That Saturday, Zach's mom picked up Emma from her house twenty minutes late (because they were too young to drive and totally dependent on their parent’s schedules) and drove to the movie theater. After a long and nerve-wracking five minute car ride, they finally arrived and bought their tickets for The Butler. Then, they headed for the concession stand and Zach generously offered to pay for a bucket of popcorn, but Emma's nerves got the better of her and she politely declined by saying "No, I'm so nervous I think might throw up." So, the two decided to head into the theater and get settled before the movie started. During the show, Zach and Emma held incredibly sweaty hands and Emma even put her head on Zach's shoulder. After the movie, Zach's dad picked them up in the infamous black van and drove Emma home. When they got there, Zach opened the car door for Emma and offered to walk her to the door. As they nervously meandered up the walkway, the two were gearing up for something they had never done before...their first kiss! However, before Zach could make the first move, Emma's ambition got the better of her and she quickly turned to Zach, head butted him, lightly touched his lips, and sprinted up the rest of the walkway to the safety of her home... and the rest is history.

The two became an *official* couple two weeks later (it took Emma a little longer to make up her mind) and they have been happily together ever since! Zach and Emma dated through the rest of high school and all of college. They continued to grow together through Church, trips to Texas, school breaks, and phone calls on the weekends. Not even long distance could keep them apart!

Zach proposed to Emma on December 13, 2019 after months of planning + saving. They walked to the UGA Arch following Emma's commencement ceremony and waited in rainy, thirty degree weather while Emma's parents looked for parking in downtown Athens. Emma could tell that Zach was acting a bit "off" as they waited around for five, ten, and then fifteen minutes, but she didn't think much of it because she was too cold to worry about anything else. After twenty minutes and Emma's parents were finally in sight, she ran through the Arch and spun around in excitement. Yay, she had officially graduated! But the fun wasn't over yet. Zach walked toward Emma, took her in his arms, and asked her a very important question. After telling her "no amount of success is worth it if you're not by my side," Zach got down on one soaked knee to ask Emma, the love of his life, to marry him. She said yes and the two walked away from the Arch hand-in-hand, ready to start the next chapter of their lives as the future Mr. and Mrs. Colman.

Now, the two are happily planning their future together as Zach prepares to graduate, commission into the U.S. Navy as an officer, and receive his orders for flight school. Zach and Emma are so incredibly excited to build a life they love and to share in the process with you! Thank you for being a part of their story so far. They can't wait to celebrate virtually with you on January 9, 2021 and finally become one!