Marissa & Seth
OUR LOVE STORY
If you're here you probably already know all about our dating history (especially if you're a bridesmaid), but we like to tell the story...
March 2021
Summer of 2021
November 7th, 2021
December 7th, 2021
January-May, 2022
2022-2023
March 18, 2024
October 25, 2024
Now
Marissa and I met in March of 2021 at the Under Armour Outlet at the mall. It was a completely unremarkable moment: I was coming in to finish my hiring paperwork and Marissa was the manager. (Yes, technically she was my boss and I'll never let her forget it). At the time, I thought she was way out of my league, but I didn't seem to make any impression on her.
During one early morning, summer shift, Seth tried to flirt with me, but I wasn't interested. Still, we ended up texting for months, just as friends, and slowly something began to shift. I decided to test my feelings for him by inviting him to tag along as I adopted a dog at the shelter, figuring if he was weird or annoying, at least I'd have a new dog to focus on. But he was incredibly kind, thoughtful, and supportive. That's when I started to develop a tiny crush (though I didn't admit it right away).
​​​​After a few parties and hangouts, Seth asked me on a real date. We went to a local Japanese restaurant. We shared a sushi roll for an appetizer and to this day, he loves telling everyone that I cut my sushi with a fork. (In my defense, I was nervous and didn't want soy sauce on my face or seaweed in my teeth).
On December 7, 2021, one month after our first date, I officially asked Marissa to be my girlfriend. I am so honored that I was the first one to ever ask her that question. From this point on, we started building a life full of adventures, inside jokes, and memories we still talk about all the time.
Marissa and I started our relationship by making a lot of memories. In January we enjoyed our first snow day, where we built a little snowman named Snowboy (ALL HAIL SNOWBOY!). In February, we went to the World of Coke and discovered our shared love of red cream soda. March took us to Savannah to celebrate St. Lynsey's Day for spring break, April to an Atlanta Hawks game for my birthday, and May to Marissa's sorority formal.
Seth and I spent the next two summers on the road and in the sand. We vacationed to Surfside Beach, Honeymoon Island, and Orlando (where Seth overcame his fear of heights and rode a 400-foot ferris wheel with me). We explored more of Atlanta and Olympic-Centennial Park, and the Harry Potter Exhibition, saw Wicked and Mamma Mia! live, graduated college (me in 2023, Seth in 2024), and made time for all the little things: hikes, photos, museums, and movie nights.
​​In March of 2024, we moved into our very first home together. After spending over a year living in a spare bedroom at my parents' house, having a space of our own felt like a dream finally coming true. It wasn't just a new address, it was our first big step into the life we are building. A few months later, Marissa and I both started our first full-time jobs, on the EXACT same day. I became the district technology specialist at Dawson County High School and Marissa began teaching art at New Holland Elementary. It was overwhelming and exciting. After everything we'd worked toward, we finally felt like we were standing on our own two feet, together. ​​
And then, on October 25, 2024, Seth proposed.
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He had spent forever trying to decide where it should happen, what place would mean the most to both of us. In the end, he chose the backyard of our first home, the place where our new life had truly begun.
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I had just come home from a tough day at work and I was ready to vent the moment I walked in the door,. When I pulled into the driveway, I saw Seth's car and was confused (he was supposed to be working late). I opened the door and saw a trail of rose petals leading to the back door, and suddenly I felt my mind racing! I had caught him off guard (he didn't hear me pull in), so when I stepped outside, he wasn't ready. Immediately, he turned around, smiled, and dropped to one knee.
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His sister, Aliah, captured the moment perfectly.
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Afterward, we called everyone we knew. I was ready to scream, "I'M ENGAGED!" to anyone who would listen and Seth was just happy that I said yes. That night, we celebrated with a fancy dinner and shared the best bottle of wine I'd ever had. I saved all of the rose petals, and I even put the "Congratulations!" confetti in my phone for scrapbooking later.
It was sweet and simple. It was perfect.
Looking back, it's wild to think all of this grew out of a retail shift at the mall. From best friends, to life partners, we've built something real, something silly and sweet and strong.
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We can't wait to celebrate that with all of you.
