If you're invited to this wedding, you already know that Josh and I met at Red's Ice House (10/10 recommend). With our mutual friends, we sat outside and played trivia that February evening. Josh asked for my number. He asked me to hang out again that weekend, and the rest is history... just kidding, lol.

We saw each other almost every day. On March 3rd, 2021, Josh asked me to be his girlfriend. We both knew he was soon moving, but I knew then I wanted that man in my life. We dated, continuing to spend time with our friends at our favorite watering holes, until Josh moved to Florida in May 2021. Before he left, we decided we would try to make long-distance work, and that is exactly what we did. We put a LOT of miles on both of our cars. Countless tanks of gas, two new sets of tires, and many late-night highway miles later, Josh's job came to an end. He had the opportunity to move to Nashville, TN in the summer of 2022. Together we decided we would both move. I quit my job, packed up my little life (unit 9L forever and ever), and drove to Nashville, excited that we would be back in the same city, and get to make our first little house a home.

We have made so many memories in Nashville, but Josh knew that it would be important to me to get engaged in the city where we met. On July 2, 2023, he took me to a spot where we'd had countless dates, and surrounded our best pals, he asked me to be his forever. Obviously, I said yes. Well, I said "Are you serious?", and here we are now, ready to celebrate our love with all of you!

Our start in this journey together began on a weeknight at Red's Ice House on Shem Creek. While working on completing the Wild Dunes hotel project, I was given news earlier that day that I was to pack up and relocate to Gainesville, FL for a new project assignment. For those who know me, that was tough news to bear. To ease my mind, I drove to a fun place (Red's) that evening to grab dinner, a cold beer, and maybe even catch some live sports on their TVs. Little did I know, I was about to meet the love of my life. We never met, but we shared a table with mutual friends and laughed and enjoyed the entire evening together. At the end of the night, while walking out, I didn't have much of a pick-up line in my pocket but insisted on getting Hunter's phone number however possible. I had that "butterfly feeling" and knew that I had to see her again.

Fast forward to March 3, 2021, she said yes to being my girlfriend. With fears of long-distance looming, we spent every possible minute together from dates on the beach, morning walks at Pitt Street Bridge, and as many delicious home-cooked meals as I could make her in her tiny West Ashley apartment (unit 9L).

Moving away from Hunter and everything we enjoyed in Charleston was not easy. She and I became regulars on i95 between FL and SC. Our routine became her spending middle of the week trips with me in Florida, and weekend trips together in Charleston. The continued planning of our schedules and knowing the next time we'd see each other was the glue that kept us together while dating long distance. Being 350 miles apart wasn't ideal, but we made it work and grew even closer to each other.

Around Memorial Day of 2022, Hunter and I made exciting changes in our lives as we packed up and moved to Nashville together. While we both miss Charleston, our move to Nashville has been incredibly rewarding. It has strengthened our relationship with each other, given Hunter and i the opportunity to grow closer with friends from UT (several of whom are in our wedding party), and has made weekends going to support the Vols much easier on travel. All that aside, the best part of this move, has been watching Hunter take off on her journey in becoming an RN!

This past 4th of July weekend, while visiting friends in Charleston, I proposed to Hunter. Thanks to our family and close friends I was able to pull off this surprise flawlessly. We grabbed coffee and breakfast at one of our favorite places (Metto) and then went to Pitt Street to walk the bridge and get photos of the girls. Little did Hunter know, I had a ring in my pocket, and one particular question on the tip of my tongue. Fast forward a few minutes, I asked her "will you marry me?" and she said "yes!". The surprises planned for her that day continued as we then went to Sullivans Island to meet both of our families for champagne and a day spent on the beach. July 2nd, 2023 was so special for us.

April 26, 2024 will be even more special as we will finally get to say "I do" to spending our lives together forever and celebrating our love with each of our family members and friends. We look forward to celebrating with each of you, and now that Hunter is (somewhat) a Vol, it’s going to be so special for us to all celebrate and sing along to good ole Rocky Top!