Emilie and Jason met on Facebook at an Alumni thread for Randolph-Macon College.

Apparently Emilie messaged Jason first. However, both now claim that the content of these messages is no longer available, so this particular piece of the story is lost to history.

They decided one day in August to meet up at a local pizza joint called the Mellow Mushroom.

The hostess sat them at a high top table, so both had to climb up into their seats, where they discussed their jobs, and a mutual love of video games, particularly Mario Kart.

Emilie and Jason realized they both loved Animals. Emilie loves Tree Sloths, and Jason loves Ibex. Happily, they also discovered that they enjoy hanging out with friends and family. This last fact is particularly remarkable because Emilie's cousin Sean counts as family.

Jason knew that he wanted to be with Emilie, and was very persistent in getting to know her. He would often text her good morning in the am and good evening in the night. He always let her know that he was there for her, and she appreciated that.

Emilie knew that Jason was the right one for her when she decided to introduce her entire family to him on a family vacation to Chautauqua, in western New York.

In one particular episode, Jason was pressed into grilling salmon on a charcoal grill that someone, it doesn't matter who, had a hard time keeping lit. Despite this obstacle, which was no fault of the person manning the fire, Jason's grilled salmon was delicious. And... anyone who focuses on why the fire may have gotten out of control misses the point of the story.

In 2023, Jason decided that Christmas day he would propose to Emilie. However, being a former military school man, and a gentleman who reveres tradition, Jason felt it was his duty to first seek the permission of Emilie's father for her hand in marriage.

On Christmas Eve, Jason resolved to talk to Emilie's father about marriage. He battled through his nerves to enter the living room, where Emilie's father was sitting alone, to initiate the conversation...

...but Emilie's father stalled for time... suggesting that perhaps they should pick up the conversation tomorrow.

The rest of the family was waiting nearby in the kitchen. Jason returned, perplexed, and resigned to waiting until the morning to complete the conversation.

That's when Emilie's mother snapped into action. She strode into the living room, whispered something into Emilie's father's ear, and retuned to the kitchen, where she gave Jason a thumb's up and said: "You're on!"

Jason resumed his courageous act, successfully completing the conversation.

When asked what she whispered into Emilie's father's ear, Jane disclosed the flinty truth:

"Straighten up and fly right!"

Emboldened by his success, Jason bided his time... until Christmas morning. Then, on a walk through the pine trees on the coast of Virginia's Eastern Shore, Jason knelt down on one knee, presented a ring he had acquired by way of family friend Susan Sutphin, and asked Emilie to marry him.

She said yes, of course!

And here we are, months later, gathering families to celebrate Emilie and Jason's story: Two hard working, fun loving people who support one another as together they build a happy life.

As in all good relationships, they observe a healthy give and take. While Jason often triumphs in Mario Kart, Emilie is steadfast in reminding us that she kicks his ass in Mortal Kombat.

With that, good people, we welcome you to Mosely in July.

May your hightops be stratospherically high, and may you always remember to straighten up, and fly right.