Our story began in 1997 during our freshmen year at Chowan College (now University) as good friends who enjoyed spending time together visiting various campus life and athletic events. Upon returning from summer break, Will got the courage to ask Jill out and they soon became a couple. While our relationship ended, our love for one another grew through friendship over the next twenty years. 


Fast forward to Chowan University Homecoming Weekend of October 15, 2022. Along with our closest friends, we reunited for a weekend of fellowship and soaking in all things Chowan. The final event of the weekend was a Dinner Gala hosted by Alumni Relations. Towards the end of the event we were able to escape the others and take a walk around campus under the night sky and all of its stars. It was apparent that our feelings had grown over the years and even stronger within the prior 24 hours. Will asked Jill for a second time to be his girl at what has become their favorite bench in front of the Columns Building. She replied Of Course!.


Our love was tested for the next eight months. Jill was living in Maryland and Will remained in North Carolina. We put a lot of our miles on each of our vehicles and memorized the landmarks on Interstate 95 and the Eastern Shores of Virginia, Delaware and Maryland. We visited one another for the major holidays and made a pact to never let two weeks go by without seeing each other. During these visits we attended Denton Mactober Festival, a Chowan Basketball game, High School Basketball games, Annmarie Sculpture Garden's Christmas Light Show, Church Service in WestPoint/Shopping in Williamsburg Virginia, Les Miserables and SIX at the Hippodrome, and many fun nights out dining.


Around Christmas we both agreed that the distance between us was unbearable. Our short term dating plans shifted towards long term plans. Our goal was to get Will moved to Maryland and find a job as a School Counselor during the summer. Upon placing our faith in the Lord’s hands, Will found a job and moved to Maryland once school year had finished. 


Will moved to Maryland on June 19 and after a long week of waiting for the moving truck, we departed for another trip south. The Schettini family had a planned vacation on Hatteras Island in North Carolina. We were able to spend time with family and Will was able to build rapport with all of the sisters, brother in-laws, nieces and nephews. After a week of sun at the beach the family decided to take a break and go on an adventure.


On June 29, we traveled to Roanoke Island to visit the Elizabeathan Gardens. We enjoyed a Fairy Hunt with the children and a Butterfly release with the entire family. After a picnic lunch on the Great Lawn, Jill and a sister went on the hunt for a lens cap to an expensive camera. The group went ahead as they retraced their steps. After a fruitless search Jill tried to catch up to the group. She met the entire family in a garden area that is on the Albemarle Sound. Jill walked onto the Overlook Terrace to find Will flanked on both sides by her nieces and nephews, each holding a sign with a word that ultimately read Will You Marry Me Jill?. As she had done eight months and 14 days earlier, Jill replied Of Course!


Our story is still being written and we hope that you will be part of this journey!


Love 


Jill & Will