Where it All Began
It was September 21, 2020, when Christine and Carter met through a mutual friend at the University of North Florida. From the moment Christine saw him, something in her paused — the world seemed to slow down, just for a second. Carter’s quick humor and easy laugh drew her in immediately.
For Carter, it was her wit that caught him off guard — quick, funny, and sharper than he expected. She made him nervous in the best possible way. When Christine made the first joke, he was done for; she surprised him, disarmed him, and made him genuinely happy.
Because the world was still shaped by the pandemic, their earliest moments weren’t fancy dates but simple, perfect ones — sitting in Carter’s car sharing Chick-fil-A, or hanging out in the Osprey Café, one of the few places on campus they could talk freely without masks or distance between them.
They didn’t realize at first that this was love in its earliest form. It wasn’t until months later, after time and life had separated them briefly, that they reconnected on a spontaneous FaceTime call. Hours slipped by in conversation, and it felt as if no time had passed at all. That effortless connection, the feeling of being home in someone’s presence, has stayed ever since.
The First Date
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Their first official date wasn’t at a candlelit restaurant or a fancy venue — it was Wawa. That year, the gas station had just released a panini Christine couldn’t stop thinking about. When Carter asked where she wanted to go, her answer was immediate.
Her plan was simple: grab sandwiches and drive to the beach for a quiet meal by the water. What she meant was eating in the car overlooking the ocean. What Carter heard was “let’s eat on the beach.”
After circling for parking that didn’t exist, they ended up sitting in front of a construction site that would later become a Marriott hotel. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was them. It was funny and real and entirely imperfect in the most perfect way. Carter’s patience and Christine’s humor set the tone for everything that came next: laughter first, always.
How We Knew
Their relationship has always felt easy — like two best friends who accidentally fell in love. Goofy. Warm. Effortless.
Christine realized she was in love with Carter on their first Disney trip. After a long day of park-hopping, they discovered their car was at Hollywood Studios while they were stranded at Epcot. Everything was closed, transportation had stopped running, and they ended up walking the long stretch between the parks, laughing the entire way. It should’ve been frustrating but instead, it was one of those moments where love quietly revealed itself.
Carter knew he loved Christine the night he sat in her dorm room, surrounded by her collection of Grogu plushies. In that cozy, chaotic space, he felt completely at ease. He realized he’d found someone who matched his energy — someone he could be his most authentic, nerdy, goofy self with.
Our First Adventure Together
Their first trip together was to New York City — Christine’s dream destination. She had always wanted to see a show on Broadway, and Carter, who had been before, promised to be her guide.
It was her first flight without her parents and her first trip alone with someone she loved. Nerves turned to excitement the moment they stepped into the city. Carter made her feel safe, steady, and brave enough to take in the whirlwind of New York.
They walked miles through the streets — from Times Square to Central Park, from museums to late-night pizza slices. They quickly learned they were the perfect travel partners: Christine, the meticulous planner, and Carter, the one with a flawless sense of direction. Together, they balanced each other effortlessly — she made sure they didn’t miss a thing, and he made sure they never got lost.
Somewhere between skyscrapers and subway rides, they realized what they had was built to last.
The Proposal
On August 15, 2025, during their fourth anniversary trip to New York City, Carter proposed at the Bow Bridge in Central Park — the same city where their first adventure began.
He had been planning the moment for months, down to every detail. A hidden photographer captured it all as Christine’s one wish for something intimate and beautiful came to life.
As they took photos around the park afterward, a nearby musician began to play Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley. Later that night, at a restaurant with singing waiters, they were serenaded with Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Frankie Valli.
Now, both songs transport them back to that day… to the bridge, the laughter, the ring, and the quiet certainty that this was forever.
Our Life Together
Life together has been full of small joys and shared adventures. They love watching new shows and movies, spending spontaneous weekends at Disney World, and calling each other “loml” — pronounced “LAH-MULL,” their own private language for love of my life.
Carter’s favorite thing is introducing Christine to new board games. Christine’s favorite thing is planning their next getaway — even if it’s just a drive around town. And at home, they share their world with two cats, Beanie and Wally, who run the household with unearned confidence and endless affection.
To anyone watching, it’s clear: they’re two best friends who found something extraordinary in the ordinary.
From Chick-fil-A parking lots to New York skylines, from Wawa sandwiches to Disney fireworks — every step of their story has led them here.
Soon, surrounded by family, friends, and the endless sea, Christine and Carter will begin their greatest adventure yet: a lifetime of love, laughter, and loml moments.
