Our Love Story

Wilkes and Mary Claire met over Labor Day weekend in 2023 at Beach Project, a summer program with Campus Outreach in Panama City Beach. Three days after meeting, they made it official. They spent the rest of the summer getting to know each other while learning about discipleship and growing in their faith.

 

Wilkes graduated from the University of South Alabama the following year, and Mary Claire finished her degree at Samford University the year after.

 

Wilkes planned a six-week timeframe for when he might propose after two years of dating. On the weekend of June 27th, he took Mary Claire on a sunset boat ride and proposed as the sun was setting. Afterward, they returned to Wilkes’ house, where a small surprise party with close friends and family was waiting.