James and Gabrielle met their Sophomore year of college at Ole Miss. A couple of her friends had convinced a reluctant Gabrielle to join them at a party one late winter night. Not knowing many people at the event, she began to make conversation with a witty, charming, guy who always goes out of his way to make sure everyone is having fun, James McKey. They became fast friends. As the party came to an end, Gabrielle left quickly with her friends before James had gotten her phone number.

Having many mutual friends, it was only a matter of time until the two of them met again. On the second night they had crossed paths, one of Gabrielle's now bridesmaids had encouraged James to ask for her phone number insisting she thought they would really hit it off. She was right.

From then on, Gabrielle and James were best friends. She knew she could always count on him to bring a smile to her face and he came to know that she would always have his back (and her drink of choice by heart). Whether it was a class project or a game of pool, you could always bet they would be partners.

As their senior year drew to a close, they planned for their lives after college. James had decided to move to Dallas, Texas and Gabrielle chose to go to Tampa, Florida. After graduation, they made it a whopping ten days before driving nine hours to see each other again. They had quickly realized life was not quite the same without one another in it, and Gabrielle and James became a couple

...and the rest is history.