Shannon: Junior year of college our roommates were study buddies and eventually we all started hanging out. That year on fall break, Richard invited me and his roommate to the Outer Banks. We played foosball and ended the break watching scary movies. For the next three weeks, Richard would come over to my apartment binging the Saw series, but waited until the very last movie to hold my hand. In between movies (and studying), Richard and I would talk for hours and hours. We quickly became best friends. The rest is history! Richard joined me in Charleston during graduate school where we learned that life together was better than life apart. After a little time in Houston, TX and another year of long distance while I worked in Delaware, we moved to Richmond, VA. I cannot imagine going through all of life's curveballs without Richard by my side. I'm so grateful my best friend will be my husband. Richard: Shannon's story above was pretty honest - I would only emphasize for the record that *I* was the one to make the first move - and that the rest, as she said, is history. :) It has been an absolute blessing to spend our nearly 6 years together, and count myself even more blessed to spend decades more.

The Outer Banks is our treasured place. We travel here often when we need a break from reality and have celebrated a few of our anniversaries with our toes in the sand. On the Thursday morning of the annual McWilliams family OBX trip Richard handed me an index card with a URL along with a white claw on the beach. The URL led me to a virtual scavenger hunt where the clues took me on an adventure filled day! I had to solve puzzles, beat Richard in mini golf (our typical date night), and deliver my family donuts. The last clue directed me to be ready at 5:30 so my mom helped do my hair and my sisters drove me to our engagement spot with a playlist Richard had crafted for the car ride. Then I said yes with the beautiful sound in the background and the sun shining bright. It was so special, beautiful, and captured everything we love together.