About a year ago I read somewhere, The best relationships usually begin unexpectedly. I can't imagine better words describing this relationship than these. While people always search for someone to be with and someone to share all of our important memories, this relationship happened a little different. Neither John nor Katie expected anything to happen on March 13, 2017 when Katie gave John a ride home from swim practice. John was in his senior year of college at East Carolina University, trying to figure out his next step in life. He had no idea where he wanted to live, what job he wanted to have, or what direction his life was going to take him. Katie had just gotten out of a long term relationship and enjoying every part of independence and opportunities spent with friends. Their lives couldn't have been in two different places. But isn't that what makes the best love stories? The unexpected?

Eventually, John got a job in Greenville and Katie remained in school. They went to all the tailgates together, hung out with some of the same friends, and even went on trips together to the beach and to visit with family. Katie got the opportunity to have a front row seat to watching John advance in his career to his first management job in the hotel industry, and John, the opportunity to support Katie through her junior and senior schools years. Even listen to her share stories during her internships teaching, and help her prepare to interview for her first full time teaching job. Their relationship had them closer than ever, just a phone call and a short 3 mile drive. But that doesn't mean there weren't challenges involved. After all, John just got promoted to another sales job within his hotel company. This time, two and a half hours away in Greensboro. The two of them were in for quite the hurdle.

But they viewed this as an opportunity to get more serious and reflect on what they really wanted in life. It gave them a good time to learn about themselves, as well as each other. This time apart helped them grow and see what it was in life they really wanted. And through a few months, they knew that they did not want to be apart for very long and that they wanted to be with each other for the rest of their lives.

So, when John decided to get the courage to ask Katie to be with him forever, he knew there was only one place he could ask her; the one place that meant so much to them in the first place. The cupola at ECU. So John and her took a short walk from the fountain in the middle of campus to the cupola, one that mirrored a similar walk the two had taken just 3 short years ago. Tears began flowing down both of their faces as they were overcome with so many different emotions. They knew that this decision was going to lead to life full of happiness, togetherness, challenges, and sacrifices. But friends, marriage is only the beginning of this love story for Katie and John.