Hal and Emily’s story starts in Mrs. Holbert’s 2nd grade class at Lees Corner Elementary in Chantilly, VA. A blonde girl with glasses and a tall boy with cool track suits, these two wouldn’t know how important they would become to each other one day. Throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school, these two would know each other as kids from the neighborhood. Part of different social circles and activities outside of school, their potential to be each other’s best friend remained unknown. Until one day, during welcome week at the campus gym of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), they found in each other not only a familiar face, but an undeniable attraction. They began as friends, meeting for lunch once a week outside of classes, then increasing their hangouts to include weekends (you could even call them dates), exploring their new city together and sharing in the excitement of this college adventure. It was soon evident that between Hal’s charm and Emily’s wit, they couldn’t get enough of each other. And so was their journey as University sweethearts, falling easily in love. The memories from their time in Richmond would be cherished forever as a special place and a special time for the couple.

After making it through studying, partying, traveling, and discovering themselves and each other, the two graduated together in 2014 and were proud to have supported each other during this important step in their life. What came next was uncertain, as the two took different trajectories. Emily went to France to teach English. Hal stayed in Richmond to mentor youth. Later, Hal went to Colombia to teach English as Emily returned to teach French in their hometown in Northern Virginia. A passion for teaching and languages united them, even though they were thousands of miles apart. What could not be doubted was that through space and time, their love remained. Emily visited Hal in Colombia in 2016 and it was as though no time had passed. Their friendship and love connection was strong.

When Hal returned from Colombia, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida. Although they were in touch, the couple did not know what the future had in store for them. They each made professional strides, with Hal getting his teaching license and Emily getting her Master’s in international development. They made each other proud and showed the type of adult they wanted to be. It was enough to sell each other on the idea of officially getting back together in April of 2017, one of the happiest moments of their lives. Though they were together in spirit, it would be another two years until they got a chance to live together again. During this time they enjoyed lovely visits to each other’s homes in Florida and Virginia, adding another set of wonderful memories from those times. In 2018, Hal relocated to Spain, and Emily visited, of course, for an epic Europe trip. On June 19, 2019 they couple shared their first of what would come to be known as a move-in-versary. This was the moment Hal committed to Emily, her dad Andy, their dog Rocky, and the rest of her family that he would be a part of their lives. The joy was felt by all of Emily’s and Hal’s families alike, from Virginia to Florida. Through ups and downs in the years that followed, Hal and Emily became as close as family can get, sharing the love with those around them. On July 12th, 2021 it became official, and the story of love, happiness, adorableness, being parents to the golden boy Rocky, and committing to a beautiful future full of love and adventure continues.