Hampton and I both grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina. A small town where you have to drive for almost an hour just to get on the road that will take you where you want to go. I love that Hampton and I grew up in the same place. We can look back on all of the places our paths crossed. In middle school, we danced together in Junior Cotillion. We shopped for groceries with our fathers at the same Bi-Lo (back when those existed). And we both loved eating at the Village Grille.

But we officially met in A.P. Chemistry class in high school. You can insert a joke about us having chemistry here. Hampton was awkwardly nervous, and I was nervously awkward. But with a little (a lot) of help from our friends, we eventually started dating.

We continued dating throughout our time at Clemson University. During those four years, we grew closer together while also figuring out our own identities. We cooked dinner together nightly. We went on hikes weekly. And, of course, we attended every home football game.

That all changed when Hampton and I graduated from Clemson. To pursue our career ambitions, we made the decision to have a long-distance relationship. It has not always been easy. But we talk on the phone every day (usually several times a day), and we see each other almost every weekend. Most importantly, we believe in each other's dreams, and we are so proud of each other. Our wedding will mark the end of long distance, and we cannot wait.

We went from prom dates to planning our wedding date, and we are so excited for the next chapter of our story. Thank you for being a part of it!