It all began in the summer of 2020, amidst the uncertainty of a world on pause. In the heart of Mt. Ida, Arkansas, a secluded pocket of normalcy still existed within the bustling grounds of Camp Ozark. There, as counselors, we were brought together by mutual friends. It was a chance meeting at a time when serendipity was in short supply, and we both recognized a glimmer of something special right away.

The pandemic was a difficult time for everyone, but for us, it created a bubble where our connection could thrive, free from the distractions of the outside world.

The passage of time did little to fade our bond. Over the years, we returned to Camp Ozark, adding new chapters to our story. Our relationship grew stronger during those treasured months of working side-by-side. The real test came when school resumed, and we were forced to navigate the miles of a long-distance relationship. The memories from camp became our anchors, a reminder of the special place where our love first took root. We would count down the days until we could be back in that special place, together again, in the Arkansas summer that had brought us together.

335 Miles, at just around 5 hours. It was a journey made countless times, yet each trip was filled with the unique anticipation and relief that only a long-distance relationship could provide. While the miles between LSU and Ole Miss posed a challenge, they were never a deterrent. Instead, the distance became a measure of their commitment, a testament to a love that was always up for a challenge.

As a loyal LSU Tiger and a devoted Ole Miss Rebel, our story is a fun-filled clash of college rivalries. Game days were a special kind of chaotic joy, with playful jabs and good-natured trash talk filling the stadiums and tailgates. These were the memories that made the distance worthwhile—the events, the trips, the moments we shared, even while in enemy territory.

Our time together was spent on each other's campuses throughout the years. It's a running joke that, to this day, Stryder has never uttered the words "Geaux Tigers." But with a wedding on the horizon, perhaps the day will finally arrive when he delivers the ultimate show of love.

After nearly five years of countless miles and long-distance calls, the journey finally led to one destination: Charlotte, North Carolina. The city, with its promise of a new beginning, felt like a dream after so long spent apart. It was a place they had yearned for, the setting for the next chapter of our story.

The years of distance will forever be cherished for the strength and resilience we built, but nothing compared to the joy of finally being in the same place. Charlotte has become such an amazing home base —filled with new adventures, new friendships, and a love that was now, finally, under the same roof.

As we embarked on this new chapter, our hearts are filled with gratitude for everyone who has been a part of our long and winding journey. The path to each other is not one we walked alone, and we couldn't wait to celebrate out big day with all our friends and family. The date is set, and the countdown to April is on!