We're Getting Married!

In the fall of 2021, Carrington was embarking on her first semester of law school in Chapel Hill, while Jarrett was mere months away from graduating from North Carolina A&T State University. Both were focused on the next chapter in their academic journeys, each brimming with anticipation for what lay ahead—yet neither expected love to be part of the equation. Fate, however, had other plans. Brenda Neal, a mutual friend (and one of Carrington’s new friends from law school, as well as an old friend of Jarrett’s from A&T), invited them both to her housewarming party. Prior to the event, Brenda posted a photo of Carrington on Instagram, which caught Jarrett’s eye. Intrigued, he asked about her and expressed his interest. Brenda, ever the matchmaker, informed him that Carrington would be at the party—and so, Jarrett made a plan to introduce himself. When the night arrived, Carrington attended the party expecting nothing more than to meet some new friends from law school. But Jarrett, already set on getting to know her, wasted no time. Within moments of her arrival, he introduced himself, using her Alpha Kappa Alpha keychain as an opening to spark a conversation. Their connection was immediate, and the two chatted easily throughout the evening. Though Jarrett invited her to join the group heading to Franklin Street afterward, Carrington decided to head home for the night. Jarrett wasn’t ready to let their connection fade so quickly. Determined to keep the conversation going, he reached out to Carrington on social media and asked her out on a formal date. The following Sunday, they met for brunch at noon. Hours flew by as they shared stories over coffee, laughter, and good food, and their time together naturally flowed into an impromptu ice cream run, a stroll through campus, and finally, dinner. Twelve hours later, as the evening drew to a close, both Carrington and Jarrett knew something special had begun. Of course, no great love story is without its hurdles. Just a few months later, Jarrett moved across the country to California for work—over 2,800 miles away. But instead of pulling them apart, the distance brought them closer. They learned how to navigate a relationship across time zones, managing the challenges of a three-hour difference, frequent cross-country flights, and the demands of a new full-time job and law school. But they found beauty in the rhythm they created. They bonded over Duke-Carolina basketball games (with passionate debates), and trips to state fairs on the East Coast, wine tastings and beach days on the West Coast, and countless dinners and sporting events that spanned both coasts. In March of 2024, Jarrett told Carrington he wanted to take a trip to the beach for his birthday. But when they arrived, she was in for a surprise: Jarrett had planned something much more meaningful. In that unforgettable moment, surrounded by the ocean breeze, he proposed. Now, as they prepare to begin this next chapter together, Carrington and Jarrett are beyond excited to share their wedding day with the people who have supported and loved them along the way.