Back in 1999, Billy was leaving work one Thursday night, when Lauren caught his eye. As he was walking out the door, she asked him if he would like to join her and a few friends for a few drink at a local pub. After two years of email exchanges and missed chance meetings, Billy finally asked Lauren to join him for an Outer Banks weekend in September 2000. From that magical time watching sunsets above the Hatteras Island Sail Shop, they found one other and began sharing a relationship together.

After 4 years, and countless Outer Banks beach excursions, Billy asked Lauren to marry him in October 2004 near the spot where they shared their first sunset together, Jockey's Ridge State Park.