Our Story
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How We MetFEB 21, 2015
Hanna: James and I met online through a dating website. How else do you think a Wolf Pack student would meet a Tar Heel on non-competitive grounds? We were a 97% "match," and before we even met in person, our messages showed that we shared many of the same values and thoughts.
I remember the first message from James, he was the only person to write an entire story-length message in response to my profile. It caught my attention! After reading about him (and looking past his college of choice) I returned a message of similar caliber to his.
James: I've never made so much effort on a lady in my entire life! She was hard to get but was absolutely worth the effort!
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The First DateMAR 20, 2015
Hanna: I was nervous. This was the first time I was meeting a person with the initial intent of more-than-just-a-friendship relationship. James offered to come to Chapel Hill and I was happy to oblige. We met at the Starbucks on Franklin Street, and when I first saw him, he was bending down petting a golden retriever. Already a great first introduction in my book!
Since neither of us were really the sit-down- for-coffee type, we had sushi instead. Afterwards, I decided to take James around campus and show him around. Basically I talked his ear off about all things Chapel Hill for two (or three) hours. He was genuinely captivated by my vast knowledge of the university. I was genuinely impressed by how much I talked, little miss shyness over here.
James: We also played giant chess in the student union, and I let her beat me. ;)
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Making It OfficialMAY 19, 2015
Hanna: From our first date to the end of that semester of school, we had met another five or six times, and we were messaging and calling each other every night. Then, quicker than we realized, it was the summer, I went home to Monroe, and James was back in Raleigh. It was during that drive home that I realized that I was truly going to miss him. A week later, after we had an eight hour Skype conversation for his birthday, I invited him to come down to Monroe.
I took James on a picnic date at Cane Creek Park. We rented a canoe and paddled across the lake to a little shady area to have the picnic. It was a perfect day and I was very nervous. I knew that we had gone on dates before this, but this was the date that I wanted to make our relationship “official.” It took me a while to finally spit it out, but James was more than delighted when I did ask.
James: "Would you be my girlfriend" was already at the tip of my tongue!
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The ProposalDEC 18, 2016
Hanna: Oh man, what a great day. James and I had been talking about marriage beforehand, but I did not expect him to propose on my graduation day. He picked the perfect place too-- The Old Well at Chapel Hill is such an amazing location, a lot of history and very romantic. When James pulled me aside after family photos, I wasn’t sure what he was doing at first, but then he knelt down. Tears flooded my vision and I could only see him. He is all I want to see in my future.
James: As my knee touched down, and the warm engagement ring box was opened by trembling hands, my world became quiet. Cheering and clapping were heard faintly in the foreign distance, but the only matter in my world was her. When I looked up and saw emotions flooding down from the sky and drenched her completely, my heart melted.
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Getting MarriedMAY 21, 2017
Hanna: Yes! We have a date! I am so excited. I am so in love. James is wonderful, beautiful, smart, and everything I could ask for. We support each other and we are ready to tackle the future together hand-in-hand. With James, my world is complete.
James: It has been almost two years since Hanna and I first met, and we have became the best friends and partners who support, cherish and love each other. We are confident to take on any challenges that the future holds, as our relationship will continue to grow and strengthen.
