Emily & Patrick in Savannah, GA

A freshman-year crush blossomed into romance two years later when Emily Thigpen and Patrick McCarthy ran into each other at a local restaurant while both were attending LaGrange College. “We quickly realized we shared a special connection, and it didn’t take long to begin talking of the future,” Emily says. The Bride Emily Thigpen, 25, graphic designer The Groom Patrick McCarthy, 25, project manager The Date June 17 Two-and-a-half years later, Emily was in Savannah visiting Patrick for Memorial Day weekend and instead of going for a casual dinner like they normally did, Patrick suggested they dress up and try out a new restaurant downtown. Afterward, Patrick led Emily down to the famous River Street for a view of the sunset, where he pulled out a ring and proposed. “I was holding him so tight and saying ‘yes, yes, yes!’ that he couldn’t even break away to get down on one knee!” Emily says. The two married in Savannah the following spring with a hotel reception overlooking the river.