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Grant, 26, and Kendall, 25, went to the same high school in Sanford, N.C., but didn't meet until a day at the lake during college.
The friend: On a trip to Buffalo Lake in Harnett County in the summer of 2003, a friend introduced me to her boyfriend's friend, Grant. I was three months out of a bad relationship and wanted to focus on my friends and having fun when I went back to school at UNCWilmington. So I kept in touch with Grant just as a friend, mostly through instant messaging.
The distance: The messages turned into phone calls and eventually visits from Grant, who went to UNCCharlotte. Before we knew it, we were dating and in love. Something told me to trust him and go for it. For 41/2 years we dated long distance, traveling back and forth between Wilmington, Charlotte and Sanford. We were determined to see each other at least every other week, if not more.
The carriage: I had been dying to visit Charleston, so we decided to go in December 2007 while we had a few days off for Christmas. Grant planned the whole trip. On our second night there, a horse and carriage picked us up at our bed and breakfast and took us on a tour. Then it dropped us off at the oldest restaurant in Charleston.
The ring: After dinner Grant took my hand, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so shocked that he had to ask me to take my other ring off and I had to ask him later if I even said yes. The restaurant sent over champagne and truffles. We were finally on our way to living in the same city. We were married in our hometown of Sanford in June 2008, six months to the day after he proposed. Kathy Haight
