– 120 kids across the four classes – and, after spurned ex’s and cousins were removed, the dating pool was smaller still. Naturally, as clean and cute humans in those narrow hallways, they caught each other’s eye. 

Tucker, a senior, had one foot out the door to college and told himself and others he didn’t want a girlfriend. No way. Bella, a freshman, had yet to meet a challenge she didn’t like (still hasn’t, to be fair). She deftly used her friendship with Tucker’s sister Hayden (sorry, Hayden) and joined an after-school workout group with her and, importantly, Tucker. Glances and smiles were timidly exchanged until, one day, Bella needed Tucker’s number “to coordinate carpool.” Texts about logistics slowly grew and time at the gym involved more chatting and, eventually, flirting than working out. After a few months of hand-holding between classes, swapping burned cd’s, and slipping notes in each other’s lockers, Tucker said something along the lines of, “Wanna be boyfriend-girlfriend?” She said “yeah” or “sure” and with that, on March 4th, 2011, they were off. 

 It’s been a journey since. Admittedly, there were low expectations for the relationship as Tucker left for college. Four years of long distance was unimaginable, and examples of failed high school relationships were countless. But, in reality, they grew closer through their nightly phone calls and monthly visits and slowly realized that even as their worlds and dreams expanded, they didn’t like or love anyone else nearly as much as each other.

Finally, in 2016, the long-distance era ended for good. Tucker moved to Chapel Hill to be near Bella as she finished her final years at UNC. They built a life together there over the next eight years. They adopted their first pets, bought and renovated a home, worked jobs they loved, created a floral company, and settled into a community of the best friends and neighbors they could have hoped for. Still, they liked and loved each other more. 

Despite their love for NC, they decided to uproot and move to Toronto in May 2024. The opportunity for graduate school for Tucker, work as a florist for Bella, and new adventures proved too exciting to turn down. Marriage had long been in the plans, so when it became clear 2024 was going to be a big year of change for them, they asked, “Why not do more?” Bella designed their rings with a dear friend and, in early April, Tucker officially popped the question. For more dramatic flair, they briefly kept the engagement secret, revealing the news to friends and family at what we billed as a “going away party” just before they moved. While the farewell was bittersweet, they couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate the people and place that had such a profound impact on their relationship. 

With a year of school, work, and Canadian explorations under they belts, they’re excited to head back to where it all began this fall and get hitched with all of y’all. Thanks for all the love and support over the many, many years. Counting down till October 4th!