In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world had shrunk to the size of our living rooms and social interaction was largely confined to glowing screens, meeting new people felt like an impossible dream. Enter Bumble, the modern-day matchmaker, where the power of the first move belonged to the woman. Becca and Shelby both found themselves swiping through the digital sea of faces, not expecting much beyond fleeting conversations. When Becca sent a playful GIF to break the ice, Shelby—fully convinced this was just another exchange destined for the graveyard of unfinished chats—decided to make his response memorable. In a move equal parts absurd and endearing, he declared, “Let’s keep it plain and simple: I love you!” Most people would have backed away slowly from such an unhinged proclamation. But Becca? She doubled down. “I love you too!” she shot back, her humor matching his perfectly. Shelby, surprised and intrigued, realized he had just stumbled upon someone who could match his level of weirdness. And just like that, their conversation ignited into something special, words flowing between them like the effortless rhythm of a song. A first date was set. September 27, 2020. They met at Wooden Hill Brewing, first looks with masks on, but excitement radiating through every glance. From the moment they sat down, the connection was instant, electric. Becca, caught up in the moment, couldn’t contain herself—she stealthily texted both her sister and best friend mid-date, declaring just how well it was going. Hours slipped away unnoticed. As the brewery neared closing time, neither of them was ready to say goodbye. So, they didn’t. They wandered to a second bar, laughing and talking deep into the night until that place, too, shut its doors. When they finally parted ways, both of them knew: this wasn’t just another date. This was the beginning of something extraordinary. - Written by Omar Khalif (groomsman)

Fast-forward to the summer of 2024. Becca and Shelby, ever the adventurers, planned a grand road trip through the Appalachian Mountains, plotting out scenic stops along the way. Becca, with a hopeful glimmer in her heart, suspected that somewhere along these winding trails and breathtaking vistas, a proposal might be on the horizon. To nudge fate in the right direction, she casually suggested a few “easy, romantic hikes”—subtle, but strategic. They landed on the White Rock Falls trail, a picturesque path just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. As they set off, they noted a small, ominous detail: a fellow hiker had once spotted a rattlesnake here. But, they reassured themselves, those sightings were incredibly rare. Practically zero chance of seeing one. Ten minutes in, fate had other plans. At a scenic lookout, they paused—only to spot something dangling ominously from a tree. A massive, freshly shed snakeskin. Curious but cautious, Becca edged closer to investigate. And there it was—the skin’s former owner, a large timber rattlesnake, curled under a tree, watching them. Now thoroughly snake-paranoid, they pressed on, moving at a brisker pace, eyes scanning every rock and crevice for lurking dangers. When they weren’t dodging imaginary serpents, they were getting lost. Twice. Eventually, they reached the small waterfall, where Shelby, ever the rock enthusiast, began sifting through stones in the stream. Then, as they stepped away from the crowd, he turned to Becca and—rather than pulling out a ring—offered this puzzling declaration: “I’m not stupid, but I like rocks.” Becca, internally sighing, resigned herself to the idea that today was not proposal day. They meandered back to the main falls, where the other hikers had just left. Alone now, Shelby resumed his rock hunt, methodically sifting through the stream. With her back turned, Becca heard his voice again: “Are we good on rocks? Or do you want one more?” “I’m good,” she replied absently. “Are you sure?” Something in his tone made her turn around. There he was. Down on one knee. A ring in his hand. And in that instant, the only thing that mattered was the answer. Yes. To rocks. To laughter. To a lifetime together. - Written by Omar Khalif (groomsman)