We are going to take you back to 2019 to give you the full picture of how Alex and Carissa met.

August 11, 2019 - Carissa's dad gave a talk in the Elizabeth City South Congregation, the congregation that Alex attends. It was there that Alex and Carissa first met. Alex spoke first -recognizing Carissa from the previous Regional Convention held just the week before. They introduced themselves and that was pretty much it. Alex and Carissa went their separate ways following the conclusion of the meeting. Would that be the last time they'd see each other? Well of course, you know the answer to that question...

June 12, 2022.. Alex gave a substitute talk in the Greenwood Congregation. After the talk, he approached Carissa and her mom as they were on the way out the door. Being the gentlemen that he is, he spoke to her mom first and then turned towards Carissa to speak. Carissa gave the average cordial greeting, but then proceeded to ask Alex, " So, do you have a Motown voice?" Now, to give a little background, this question was based off of the comment that Alex gave during the Watchtower study that day.

July 2022 - The first stop was at this restaurant called Rudee's where Alex and Carissa met up with friends for lunch. Then they went down to the oceanfront to ride bikes down the boardwalk. Afterwards, they stopped at Sweet Spot for a sweet treat before taking a stroll down the boardwalk to Rudee's Inlet where they were able to watch the waves crash up onto the rocks under the full moon before heading home for the night.

Exactly a year later, Alex and Carissa along with their friends, go to dinner down at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. This day was one for the books and it wasn't because of the record setting heat. This was the day that Alex proposed. They started their day at the "Beyond Van Gogh Art Exhibit" with Jude, Sarah and Ashlyn. Afterwards, they headed to the oceanfront to have dinner at Orion's Roof at 6pm, where they ate Swordfish and Shrimp Lo Mein coupled with an amazing view of the oceanfront from the 23rd floor! After dinner, they took the elevator down to the lobby of the hotel to go to the ice cream and coffee shop called "We Scream!" where they both got iced White Chocolate Mocha coffees. While waiting for the coffees, Alex said he had something he wanted to talk to Carissa about outside. After getting a scoop of Oreo ice cream as well, she met Alex outside and they sat by a more private area with bushes. As he was sitting down, Alex asked her " What do you think about us after a year?" Carissa told him that she felt excited, happy and mostly felt closer as a couple. He went on to say that he would like to "make it official and asked if she would do him the honor of being Mrs. Heckstall?" Carissa had never felt more speechless than she did in that moment. She said "Yes, Of Course!!" Alex put her coffee on the table and motioned for her to look under the napkin to see the small red ring box. When she opened it she saw the most beautiful ring. For Carissa it was the best moment she could have ever imagined! Although the next months ahead will be new and will come with new challenges, both Alex and Carissa thank Jehovah for being able to share this new journey to come with each other. With Jehovah’s help, they both will have the blessings of unforgettable moments!