Kayla moved to Beaufort and was attending the University of South Carolina-Beaufort. Kayla and Michael attended USCB's "Winter Wonderland", less than a month after dating. Love had just began!

They got their New Year's kiss! Omaha, NE

Hunting Island, Beaufort, SC

After finishing his second active duty contract in the Marine Corps, Michael made a trip home and was accompanied by Kayla.

The two began to grow accustomed to South Carolina summers and made many beach trips!

Michael and Kayla went to Atlanta to celebrate Michael and his friend's birthdays, where they attended their first Braves game together!

A trip to Nashville, TN with Kayla's family (left to right: Aunt Brigid & Uncle Paul, Aunt Deirdre, and not pictured "Grammy").

Hunting Island with their friends, Beth and Elliot. A year of love in the books!

U-Pick Daffodils in Bluffton. Michael and Kayla moved in to their apartment.

Michael, Kayla, and their friends Mike (Rat) and Elliot rented a boat and spent some time on the water on Lady's Island, Beaufort.

A weekend trip up to Lake Jocassee in the Appalachian Mountains with their friend Elliot.

Michael proposed after setting up camp on the Appalachian Trail in Pisgah National Forest.

The ring!

Following our camping trip and becoming engaged, we stayed in-town in Asheville.