As many know, we each tell this story a bit differently. Donovan tells it with some truth and Alia tells it with some truth; either way we both feel our versions are the right version of the story. Donovan and Alia met organically. Alia had just moved to Summerville and was exploring her new surroundings. Donovan had just celebrated his birthday the night before and was struggling the next day at work. Alia found a new gym called Bold Fitness and started her first workout. While running, she saw a man talking to everyone around the gym. He was funny, cute, athletic and his smile was beautiful. Alia thought "I should stay far away from this guy". The last thing she wanted was an "entanglement. Donovan stopped her before she left the gym. He asked her about who she was and why they had never met before. Alia explained her new travels leaving Donovan intrigued by her adventurous spirit. Alia was taken with Donovans charisma. The couple began texting, calling and meeting up. Donovan, though to this day still says their first date "was not a date" planned a day to show Alia downtown Charleston. Donovan showed her the city market, took her to lunch, and even bought her some cooking spices from a store known for their unique cooking supplies. It was the most intentional date Alia had been on. Donovan played music in the car with his windows down-using an old comb as a mic as he sang old love songs (poorly). Alia added in background singing along with hyping Donovan up. Together, they sang all the way home. It didn't take long for the two of them to realize they were two pieces who became whole. If you want to hear both sides of this story well... you will just have to ask.

It was Easter, the airports were a wild mess of crying kids and over-stimulated parents. Alia and Donovan somehow managed to get standby tickets from a family member and were praying they would make a flight back to Alia's home town of Denver, Colorado. Donovan was acting extra quiet. Alia was annoyed. Donovan appeared anxious when their flight looked like it was going to be too full for them to get on board with standby tickets. Alia made calls, she checked their flight info over 20 times when suddenly two passengers failed to make the flight, Alia and Donovan somehow were able to take their seats and head to Denver! Alia was excited to spend the holiday with her family. Once they arrived in Denver, Donovan pulled Paddy (Alia's Dad) aside and showed him her perfect ring shining in a light-up box. Donovan told all of her friends and family at Easter dinner he was going to ask her to marry him. The anxious and extra quiet mood Donovan displayed at the airport was the worry of having a secret ring packed away for a proposal that all depended on getting to Denver! Donovan set up a live stream on Facebook where friends and family were able to watch the proposal live. Alia, was clueless drinking wine and eating those perfect butter rolls only made for holidays and other goodies. Donovan made a beautiful toast and dropped to one knee and asked Alia to marry him surrounded by her family. Needless to say all the women cried and the men clapped. Everyone hugged and the planning began.