We met in Chapel Hill in early 2011. I (Lucy) behind the bar, Malcolm a patron, and every night I was working he’d come in and tell me that I was his favorite bartender. I always met this pick up line with a healthy dose of skepticism until one night in March when I went over to a friend’s house for a midterm study break. When I walked into the kitchen, I saw a headless body digging around in the freezer for a snack. The door closed, and there he was. Neither of us can remember if any words were exchanged, but the persistent patron was legitimized. The next time I was bartending, I gave him my number, and we had our first date on March 25th, 2011, which has always been our anniversary (but will soon get replaced!). After graduating, we moved to Charlotte for a little over six years, and then, seizing the opportunity to work remotely, we bought our first house, The Duchess of Durham, in February 2018. We've fallen in love with Durham and have no plans to leave. Our years together haven't been without their trials. From rainy nights spent bailing out a flooded basement, to scooter rides that mirrored 'Dumb & Dumber,' to navigating life's injustices and grief – these moments glued us together. Having Malcolm by my side made each challenge a shared journey, turning struggles into memories we can now look back on with a sense of levity and insight. Malcolm is as genuine as they come – always ready with unfiltered feedback, a tool in hand for any situation, a laugh that's the definition of contagious, and he (almost) always smells amazing. His short fuse has mellowed over time, and I've witnessed his patience grow. His confidence is undeniable, and he has an uncanny ability to breakdown and explain even the most complex topics. In faith, he has taught me that just because we can understand why and how something happens doesn’t make it any less miraculous. So yes, it'll have been 13 years together by the time we tie the knot. Not because we weren't sure about each other, but for reasons that fall into the if-you-know-you-know category. The time passed has been filled with love, growth, and countless stories – a love neither of us knew we were missing but now couldn't live without. What we're most excited about for our wedding is the chance to bring together everyone we love from all the periods of our lives – family and friends who otherwise might never meet. It’s a rare opportunity to celebrate, not just our love, but the community of people who've been part of our journey. We’re overjoyed that we get to start this next chapter with all of you, to share laughter, stories, and create a few new memories together.