Our Story

I, Xavier Hightower, moved to a tiny apartment complex in New Bern, NC in 2019 where, little did I know, is where I would meet the love of my life, Brooke Kester. While looking after Collete (a dog), I played outside with her every other day for about an hour and mostly kept to myself - chucking the ball and sipping a neat whisky. Then, one day, this woman approached me, who looked to have either heard the best news in her life - or the worst. In any case, we chatted, shared a laugh or two, and went our separate ways - I thought it better to not ask what was up with her. I never knew what happened to her and wouldn’t find out until about a year later in 2021.

I, Brooke Kester, was sitting in my apartment one day when I saw this incredibly good looking man outside my window with a dog. So, naturally, I orchestrated a meet and greet with Jake, who is one of our doggos, and came to find out he was dog sitting for a fellow Marine on deployment. However, unbeknownst to myself, I did not think to check the mirror on how my appearance was before hurrying to meet this man. I had just bawled my eyes out watching Grey’s Anatomy (if you know you know) and had a few glasses of wine. So, I had mascara all over my face. Did he say anything to me while talking? No, no he did not. I went back upstairs, saw myself and was completely embarrassed. I waited for another chance to see him to explain the crazy (LOL); however, I never saw him again. Until one day, on Bumble, he appeared. I messaged him explaining and he replied saying his Marine came back from deployment and that he no longer had the dog. We then set up our first date!  

Midnight hide and seek. The rules were simple: she hid for 15 minutes somewhere in the apartment complex and I had to find her within that time or I lose. Needless to say, I found her in time. However, she was intent on doing this, or something like this, again - and so was I.

Next thing we know, we’re going out to compete against each other in axe throwing, riding everything there is at Busch Gardens, beaching it up from dusk till dawn at Atlantic, gaining another furbaby (GoGo) and eventually meeting our respective families. 

In 2022, the scheming began. I wanted to always have her in my life because she was the love I always dreamed of finding but never had much luck in doing so - the very best thing that’s ever happened to me. After some heavy coordination and secret squirrel tactics with her bestie, I got to ask the big question. I’ll never forget how nervous I was, how happy I was that she said yes, or the elation in my heart when I saw her fingers don the ring I knew she deserved. 

Y’all, let me tell you the proposal was incredible! I knew that I wanted to be surrounded by my best friends and family whenever this day would come. He delivered! We had a trip planned to Busch Gardens for Halloween. We knew my family was going to meet us there. When we arrived at the amusement park, we met them at the same spot where Xavier and I said “I love you” for the first time (me thinking it was unintentional). I was completely oblivious, saying hi to my family, and then I turned around to see this man was on his knee, y’all! I was so excited and of course said yes! Then, my besties came out of hiding and it was indescribable! So many tears and so much love!

And that was it - we were engaged!

Regardless of if you are attending the wedding in-person or virtually, you are here and you are important to us. Again, thank you all for coming to our site. We say that sincerely because, in some way, each and every one of you are a part of the story that brought us together. Now, you are here for the start of our next chapter. 

See you in Jamaica!