Most people have chemistry, but we have physics…

William and Crystal’s story began at Clemson University in 2013, during their first year on campus. Their paths first crossed at Sneak Preview, an event hosted by the PEER Program. Crystal, known for her quiet nature at the time, didn’t say much. William noticed, and in his words, "Crystal didn’t talk at all!" (He swears by this part of the story).

Their second meeting was at orientation, where Crystal’s shyness made another appearance. Once again, no words were exchanged. But fate wasn’t done with these two yet. The semester started, and they found themselves at a PEER social event. Crystal, ever so observant, noticed William glancing her way. Finally, she sheepishly waved—and told her friend she thought William was cute.

Soon after, William and his friends found their way to Crystal’s friend's dorm room for a board game night. Sadly, Crystal wasn’t there, but she was getting the play-by-play from her friends through texts. She would occasionally spot William biking around campus, but still, she hesitated to say hello.

In 2014, everything changed during physics class. Crystal spotted William wearing an International Baccalaureate

(IB) shirt and decided it was time to break her silence. She boldly moved to the front of the classroom and sat next to him. Hearing him talk about his home church, she casually mentioned she had been there too. Though William initially continued his conversation with someone else (to Crystal’s dismay), he eventually turned to chat with her. The ice was officially broken!

That week, Crystal asked William for tutoring help and slyly wrote her number in his notebook. Shortly after, William asked if she was going to a party that weekend. Crystal had other plans—attending the Nutcracker ballet in Atlanta—but they texted non-stop throughout the weekend. As soon as she got back on Sunday, they went on their first official lunch date at Palmetto’s in downtown Clemson. Crystal ordered her favorite shrimp and grits, while William opted for a burger. What was supposed to be a simple lunch turned into a 5-hour conversation—and the rest is history!

As chemical engineering students, much of their love story unfolded in Clemson’s Earle Hall, where they would often study together. William would even brave the winter weather, biking over to spend time with her.

Crystal introduced William to her parents as her "tutor," a title that remained until William passed the parental test. Little did they know, that January 26th lunch in 2014 would be the start of a love story spanning nearly 11 years by the time of their wedding on January 25, 2025—just one day shy of their 11-year anniversary.