We first met and exchanged contact info in March of 2018 but Joy’s phone broke and we did not speak again for 6 months! After she remembered James again, she reached out and we started chatting on a regular basis. We started dating on Sept 9th but we lived six and a half hours apart, Joy in Lakeland, Florida and James in Charleston, South Carolina. So it began, the trips back and forth, planning of weekends and holidays around both of our schedules. It wasn’t easy, it took a lot of work and patience. Despite all of it, Joy finished her Bachelor’s and her Master’s Degrees, moved at least once a year, James worked a lot, other responsibilities got in the way, but we still managed to make time for each other. Once a month turned into twice, trips turned into vacations together, six and a half hours turned into a 25 minute drive and everything kept getting easier.

James wanted to ask Joy to marry him on her birthday in June, but things did not work out that way. Their first date ended getting soaked by rain at the beach on Sullivan's Island, so James decided it was the perfect place to pop the question. James tried to make that day seem like a normal day so Joy wouldn’t suspect anything. Little did she know whatever she asked for that day would not get a no! James made a reservation at Galpão Gaucho downtown where they ate that evening. After that we headed to the beach, this is where Joy started getting suspicious and the questions started. Joy asked, “Why are we driving to Sullivan’s Island?, Why are we dressed so nice going to the beach?” James responded, “Just trust me.” James' friend John and his wife Jessie were hiding to take pictures. While walking at the edge of the water with clouds overhead James stopped, turned Joy around, got on one knee, and asked her to marry him. While shocked and excited at the same time; she said "Yes”, and we were engaged. We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in Tampa FL!