We believe our love story shows the fingerprints of God long before we started writing our own pages.

From growing up on the same street, attending the same church, and sharing family friendships, our paths were intertwined from the start.

As we grew older and pursued our education, life naturally brought distance between us.

That was until August of 2023, when we reconnected while shopping.

Grace - I was on a mission to find my favorite hand soap, and I didn’t even notice Cole on the same aisle. He approached me, asking if I was avoiding him in his joking manner. Of course that wasn’t the case though!

Cole - I was there searching for deodorant after going to the gym; realizing that having deodorant at the gym in the summer time is probably not such a bad idea. However, being so preoccupied by my stench as I left the gym, I realized about halfway through my conversation with Grace, that my wallet stayed behind. But Grace, being the sweetheart she is, offered to buy my deodorant, and that led to long conversations and our first time shopping together. So now, if anyone asks me how to find such a beautiful woman, I tell them to go shopping broke.

At that time, the thought of one day being wed never even crossed our minds. Although, looking back now, maybe it should have. How often does a beautiful woman offer to spend time around a man of disgusting stench, and then beg on her knees for a parting hug. ;)

This day was special, not because we saw a future together. But because this was our first time alone together. It became the spark that led to our texting, and texting to calling, and calling led to FaceTiming. Before we knew it, we hadn’t even had our first official date; yet there was a connection deeper than we know how to describe.

Grace - Our relationship progressed in this unique way because Cole was out of town, working away from Beaufort until Thanksgiving.

Cole - As soon as I arrived back in town for Thanksgiving, I went straight to Grace, who excitedly sprinted out of her house barefoot to give me a hug so tight and loving, it felt as if we were already family.

Grace - Cole, brought me my favorite ice cream!!! And we had our first “date.” Finally getting to talk in person after all this time.

Cole - That same day, we watched our first sunset together. We sat on a swing overlooking the water. A nostalgic swing: one in the neighborhood in which we both were raised. And that night on the swing was the first time I put my arm around her; and it was the first of many pictures together.

Grace - After ice cream and watching the sunset, we went out to visit with his family and have a bonfire. And that was our first day together after catching feelings. The next day, we spent Thanksgiving with my family, and every day following grew closer and closer until he left town again the following week.

From there, the relationship grew day by day, week by week, and month by month from afar. The physical distance was difficult, leading to many days of missing each other, and constantly counting down the days to our next visit. But the difficulty and distance built strength and a healthy bond; things that would’ve been harder to build organically if we were always together in person and starry eyed. The distance we shared made us realize that we love so strong from afar; And oh how much sweeter our love is in person. Before we knew it, we found ourselves back at that same swing on April 23rd, 2024. Exactly 5 months from our first date. Except this time, instead of our first picture, it was a proposal. And she said yes, a hundred times over….YES!

We are SOO excited to celebrate our wedding with you in just a few short months!!