We've had our fair share of debates about the exact moment we first crossed paths, but there's one memory that stands out as the beginning of our incredible 15-year journey together: our Science Class trip to Six Flags in April 2009. As young high school juniors and seniors, destiny had a plan for us. We found each other on that charter bus amid a sea of our classmates. And, before we even set foot in the park, we were already discussing our love for roller coasters. We knew we'd both be screaming like little kids, so we made a pact to face those thrilling rides side by side, screaming together!

Fast forward almost a year, and we embarked on our very first date. We grabbed a bite at Subway on Rosman Highway and spent hours just cruising around Brevard, talking about anything and everything under the sun. Some of our conversations led one of us to believe that our connection was destined for friendship. So, we went our separate ways – Leanna for a theater rehearsal and Randy to begin a long career with the Navy. To this day, we still debate whether Randy sent a text message trying to reconnect after that first date. One of us insists it happened, while the other is not so sure.

For the next ten years, we were just old friends, occasionally exchanging "just thinking of you" or "happy birthday" messages on Facebook. Then, in early October, while enjoying a Carolina Panthers football game with her work friends, Leanna stumbled upon a picture of Randy being his usual goofy self out with friends. She turned to one of her friends with the Facebook post in hand, and said, “This is the one who got away!” Unbeknownst to Leanna, her friend just happened to be a mutual friend of Randy’s, and she vowed to play matchmaker. She SnapChatted Randy and told him she had the perfect person for him to reconnect with. Randy received this message in the midst of working long hours at work and preparing to head to Idaho for a long-awaited hunting trip. He didn't want to begin a conversation that he couldn't commit his full attention to. To Leanna, it felt as though the attempt to reconnect with "the one that got away" had failed, until... Two weeks later, as Leanna was taking her lunch break at work, she received a message from Randy that read: "Hey stranger, how’s it going?"

We both feared history might repeat itself, with 8 long hours separating us, Randy in Virginia and Leanna back in North Carolina. We decided not to set any plans, not wanting to get our hopes up about each other. We'd play it cool and only make last-minute arrangements if fate allowed. Fortunately, the stars aligned and the pair decided to meet up for a scenic afternoon drive across the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking in the multicolored views of the tree-lined mountains. During our drive, we took a few detours for sightseeing and even hiked up to Devil’s Courthouse. Neither of us had made that hike in years, and both were sucking mud as we ascended to the summit…Leanna quite a bit more than Randy. When we got back to the truck, neither of us wanted the date to end, and we were starving! So, Randy continued driving until we reached Cullowhee on the other side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There, we had dinner at a local restaurant called Lulu’s on Main. However, Leanna was on one of her vegan diet kicks, so all she had for dinner was a plate of fried green tomatoes and a salad, while Randy savored a steak…or was it chicken? Honestly, it didn't matter because we were too busy making doe eyes at each other and catching up on the last 10 years. After dinner, we stopped at a gas station for energy drinks in preparation for the long drive back home. We took the drive slow and steady, not wanting the night to end. When we made it back to the Walmart parking lot at the base of the mountain where we had met to head up to the parkway together, we sat and talked until well past 11 o’clock pm. We tried our best to stall, dreading saying goodbye, as Randy had to return to Virginia the next morning. So, as it was a chilly night, Randy gallantly offered to wait with Leanna while she started her car and let it warm up. After about 10 minutes, we agreed to conclude what had been a perfect day with a goodnight kiss, promising that we'd see each other again as soon as possible.

Leanna and Randy quickly realized they were the perfect match, sharing so much in common and loathing every moment spent apart. By Veterans Day the two made their relationship official. Despite some skeptics thinking they were moving too fast, Leanna left her job and moved to Virginia to be with Randy at the beginning of 2020. These two knew they were the missing pieces of each other's puzzle. With their distinct interests and hobbies, they've spent the last four years learning from one another and building a vision for an exciting future together. On April 21, 2023, in the town where they first met, these two became husband and wife. The happy couple is thrilled to FINALLY gather all their closest family and friends to celebrate their union and their one-year anniversary as Mr. & Mrs. Stroup.