We're getting married!

Thanks to Bumble and Instagram, this is a true 21st century love story. One day in September of 2021, while perusing Bumble, Justin stumbled upon Connie's profile, and it said, "I don't check this very often, but you can find me on Insta." So Justin went to IG, followed her, and Connie quickly followed him back (duh). Seizing the opportunity, Justin sent Connie a DM that said, "I saw your profile on Bumble, and thought I'd be the first to say hello." Connie responded by saying, "I only followed you because I thought I knew you (the two had a mutual friend, and Connie thought she met him before)! Justin then said, "So...I guess that means I passed the first test," to which Connie quickly remarked, "I wouldn't go that far." After DM'ing back and forth for about 30 minutes, Connie gave Justin her number, and he immediately called her. The two spoke on the phone for well over an hour (which might be a record for Connie), and quickly made plans for a first date later that week. The first date was such a success, that Justin was feeling quite bold/stupid, that about 24 hours later, he sent Connie a text saying, "How do you feel about Thai or Sushi?" Her response, "You had me at food." Little did Justin know at the time that food is truly the key to Connie's heart. After that second date, Justin told all of his friends that he was done, he met THE ONE. Obviously, nobody could believe him based on his own history, but he knew in his heart, that he met the girl he was going to marry. He felt so confident that in early November he asked Connie if she had any plans for Thanksgiving, and once she said no, he asked if she'd like to fly to Charleston with him to meet his entire family (parents, 3 siblings and spouses, and 8 nieces and nephews, a total of 16 if you struggle with math). Connie said she would, and she passed with flying colors! After that, the two of them were barely apart, spending the majority of their time in Bethesda, MD, then Alexandria, VA, and finally Charlotte, NC (where they just purchased their first home together). Connie got Justin to change his ways, so to speak, opening him up to new foods and experiences. The two took a trip to Cozumel, Mexico, where Justin wanted to stay in an all-inclusive resort. Connie said why, let's explore the island. So instead, they rented a moped, and stayed at an AirBnB that wouldn't allow you to flush toilet paper down the toilet. For someone who travels a lot for work, and is lucky enough to stay in nice places, the toilet paper issue was a major one to say the least for Justin. Yet with that said, it was the best vacation he ever had as an adult! When the two returned, they began fostering dogs, and after getting one adopted, they fostered a pittie name Kody. Falling in love with her immediately, they decided to adopt her on May 5, 2022, change her name to Koda, and instantly became a family. Koda sleeps in bed every night competing with Justin in snoring and farting much to Connie's delight... After moving to Charlotte, the two faced new obstacles, but thanks to Connie's efforts, overcame them all. And on Friday, November 24, 2023, Justin brought Connie back to his favorite spot in Wild Dunes, the back tee box of the 17th hole at the Links course, and with the help of his oldest niece (Dylan) and nephew (Jared), got down on one knee, and asked Connie the question he knew he wanted to since their second date. While in total shock, Connie said yes (thankfully), and the two got to surprise Justin's family, yet again, over the Thanksgiving holiday! While this time it won't be a surprise, we can't wait to share the next chapter of this love story with all of you, and celebrate in style on July 26th!