Cooper and I began dating in 2016, but we have known each other since childhood. We spent every summer on the Northbridge swim team together, yet never really crossed paths. While on the West Ashley High School swim team, we both became swim team captains. We were also in two classes together and found ourselves spending more time together. Near the end of the season, we became good friends.

One day Emma Kerr and I were hanging out when Emma received a text from a friend that said "If Grace ever asked out Cooper, he would not say no.” I was initially very shocked, but Emma quickly talked me into going on a date with him. Our first date together was at Zen Asain Fusion and it was sooooo awkward. Our next few dates were also awkward, but eventually we became inseparable. Some of our favorite dates were sneaking into Charlestown Landing and hanging up a hammock overlooking the marsh (I promise we pay the fee now). We also spent a lot of time going to Folly Beach. His senior year, he hung a banner from the Folly Beach pier asking me to go to prom with him. Cooper graduated and decided to stay and work in Charleston. The next year, I started College of Charleston, but we still spent every free moment together. We went bowling, took trips to the drive-in movie theater, and enjoyed many brownie sundaes from Kaminky’s.

Over the next few years, we lived with Coopers sister and adopted our Chocolate Labrador, Milk. We enjoyed a couple of trips to NC, where Cooper taught me how to fly fish. I graduated college, and we decided to start the hunt for our own home. Four days before Christmas in 2022, we got the keys to our dream home. Two months later, we adopted a Golden Retriever, Honey. I had told Cooper that he had to wait to propose until we were settled in our house. Once he was given the green light, Cooper did not hesitate.

Emma and Savanna had texted me that they wanted to have a nice dinner on Folly beach, and to take pictures on the pier. We ate dinner at Rita’s, and then went to walk the pier. We took a seat and looked at the view for about 20 minutes. Little did I know, Emma and Savanna were stalling. We walked to the other side of the pier to take pictures, and Cooper popped up from behind us. I felt excited yet confused that he was there, but when Emma and Savanna started to back up I knew exactly what was happening. On August 19, 2023, Cooper asked me to marry him. As of December, we will have been in our new home for a year with big plans for our future. It has been so special to spend the past seven years watching our relationship grow into what it is today. We can’t wait to celebrate our love with all of our friends and family!