From a humble tumble in front of a college classroom to an amazing proposal in the mountains of Utah, ours is a tale full of laughter, long-distance phone calls, and a shared zest for life's adventures.
Let's rewind to 2016, freshman year at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, where a fateful fall in the first week of class earned Reeghan both a scar on her back and an unforgettable introduction to TJ. After that comedic display of grace, it was some time before Reeghan plucked up the courage to ask TJ for his number. But when she finally did, our connection blossomed. From classrooms to tailgates, we became inseparable—well, almost.
Holiday breaks and summers saw us apart, with TJ returning to Pennsylvania and Reeghan heading back to Ohio. Yet, we visited each other whenever we could. During our sophomore year, we welcomed a new addition—Theo, our supposed-to-be German Shepherd/Lab, who grew into a very noticeable 75-lb Foxhound mix. Imagine, if you will, the shenanigans of keeping Theo secretly hidden from RA's in student housing for a year. It was no easy feat, and our first shared caper, but certainly not the last.
Junior year marked a significant chapter in our story as we officially moved in together with roommates, weathered Hurricane Florence, and saw TJ study abroad in Europe.
Our Senior year brought both celebrations and challenges. Just as we were set to graduate and start our lives together, COVID-19 struck, and our relationship faced its toughest test. TJ graduated with a bachelor's in finance, and Reeghan earned her bachelor's in marketing with a minor in philosophy. As exciting as this was, the future was uncertain as our new jobs were put on hold, vacations were canceled, and a planned multi-state move was up in the air. We decided to stay in South Carolina until life settled down. Eventually, TJ landed a job and moved back to Pennsylvania while Reeghan and Theo remained in the South. Once again, we had a long-distance relationship. But love knows no bounds, and for three months, TJ would leave work and drive eight hours every other weekend to be with Reeghan.
Once Reeghan secured her job and moved to Pennsylvania, our hunt for a home began. After an arduous search, we finally found a house in Wilmington, DE. Shortly after, our family expanded with the addition of Winston, the cat, and then Jackson (previously Storm), a little black hurricane rescue pup we met while on vacation in Puerto Rico, adopted and brought home.
Fast-forward to February 2024. While hiking near a stunning desert botanical garden—fossils underfoot and Zion National Park just a stone's throw away—TJ got down on one knee. Reeghan, utterly surprised, said "YES!" to a proposal as breathtaking as the backdrop.
Whether hiking through America's National Parks, kayaking down rivers, traversing powdery slopes, or simply enjoying a game of Scrabble, our lives have been interwoven with threads of companionship, adventure, laughter, and love.
In the end, it's the love for each other, our four-legged friends, and the countless adventures that make our story uniquely ours—one we can't wait to continue writing side by side.
Here's to love, laughter, and happily ever after.
– Reeghan & TJ