Our Story: Meeting TMC

It may have been 9 years ago when we first met but "you had me from hello!" I am incredibly thankful to have spent the past 4 years with the man that loves me unconditionally, encourages me to pursue my dreams {even if it means working long days}, embraces my flaws and challenges me to not take life too seriously {this isn't the easiest thing for me to do}.

Today, Thomas and I celebrate our {dating} anniversary so I thought I would share a chapter of our story - How I met my adorable Husband.

Thomas and I met in 2006 during our Freshman year at NC State. We both grew up in small towns, Pinehurst, NC & Morehead City, NC, so attending NC State was an adjustment for both of us. We went from knowing everyone in our town to knowing a hand full of people plus Raleigh seemed like a large city that was spread out which would make it hard to meet people {little did I know that Raleigh is a big city yet seems so small now after living here for 9 years, I am always running into people that I know}.

During the first few weeks of college, we both gravitated towards our hometown friends and thankfully we did because that is how we met each other. I was sitting in my dorm room with my roommate - we had graduated together, played a variety of high school sports together, and had seen each other grow up over the years. So naturally, we were reminiscing about high school but also comforting each other since we were really homesick. During our conversation, someone knocked on our door and it was one of my roommate's girl friends that she had met from Morehead City during the first few days on campus. I quickly noticed that a cute, blonde-haired guy was standing in her shadow. I instantly told myself, "Stephanie, you need to get to know him...He is a cutie!"

I followed my thoughts {and heart} and didn't waste any time. Throughout freshmen year, Thomas and I attended classes together, spent many late nights studying in DH Hill Library, dressed in Red and White to tailgate at Carter Finley, cheered loud and proud for the Pack, celebrated birthdays together and much more. We both went home for the summer but still remained in touch.

The first of many NC State tailgates

For the next 3 years, our friendship grew and became something very special. Let me tell ya, it wasn't an easy task though because Thomas played hard to get but I was a determined little lady. In 2010, we celebrated New Year's Eve together with a group of friends in Wilmington, NC. The night was perfect and I knew that I had found someone special. A few months later, we decided to "officially" start dating. And as we all know, the rest is history! :)