we're getting married!

Lyric and Cory first became childhood friends in the 4th grade at Hunter Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina. They stayed in touch throughout the years, and reunited at Enloe High School. During their time at Enloe, the two shared many of the same classes and friends, and became involved in extracurriculars together. What started out as a childhood friendship eventually led them to start dating the fall of their senior year, in October 2015! The pair stuck together through the next four years of college, while Cory attended The University of Virginia and Lyric was at UNC Chapel Hill. Much of that time was long-distance—with occasional visits and much-cherished time spent together over winter and summer breaks. Of course, it was during those visits to Chapel Hill and Charlottesville, that Lyric and Cory got to meet so many of each other’s beloved friends (who would always joke that they were "part-time students" at both universities). After graduating in May 2020, Lyric and Cory moved up to Washington, DC to start their careers. They absolutely love calling Washington, DC home, and can't wait to start this new chapter of their lives together!

After multiple months of planning and coordinating with friends and family, coming from as far as Florida and New York City to celebrate, it was finally November 28th. What was supposed to be a normal Sunday just after Thanksgiving for us to relax and get some work done after the long weekend was really going to be an event packed day. I had suggested earlier in the week that we should do something that afternoon, a Christmas market in Frederick, Maryland. Knowing that Lyric would be too tired to make the trek out there on a Sunday (around an hour drive), I had already gotten us (and around 20 other friends and family) tickets to the Dumbarton Oaks Gardens in Georgetown. When the time came for us to go, Lyric repeatedly tried to convince me to just stay in DC, that she didn't want to spend all of Sunday driving. With a sigh of relief I (eventually) agreed, instead suggesting that we go to Dumbarton Oaks, a private garden in DC that we had always talked about going to. After a very nerve-racking drive over to a place I had secretly already been to, we walked in and I tried my best to lead her to the place the photographer was patiently hiding and waiting. I proposed to Lyric here on November 28th, 2021 in the gardens. After a few minutes together soaking in the moment, Lyric was surprised with plenty of her friends, and both of our families. Everyone had time to reconnect and take pictures at the picturesque gardens before we headed over to North Italia for a pre-selected dinner with everyone to celebrate the day. We are overjoyed to share the rest of our lives together and share more special moments with all of you!