It all started in 2015 when Clayton offered Natalie a brown sugar cinnamon Pop-Tart before their high school football game. The rest is history...

Natalie and Clayton were in the same homeroom starting their first year of high school (thank you, "C" last names!). It didn't take Clayton long to make his first move. As all the freshmen were waiting for the Blessed Trinity football game to start, Natalie said she was hungry. Clayton immediately walked into the spirit zone to buy Natalie a snack before the game. Clayton came out with a brown sugar cinnamon Pop-Tart for Natalie (her favorite - how did he know??). Clayton and Natalie spent their time at BT attending homecoming and prom dances and cheering each other on at their sporting events. Little did Clayton know his freshman-year football coach would become his future father-in-law 10 years later. As they took on their 3rd year of dating, the couple headed to Jamaica with their dads on a mission trip through Saint Peter Chanel Catholic Church. Now, 7 years later the couple is getting married at this same church!

After graduating high school in May 2019, the couple started long distance dating as they headed off to two different colleges. Clayton and Natalie spent a lot of time traveling the next four years to see each other. Whether it be to attend Natalie's sorority events or a Clemson or Tennessee football game, the couple was happy to spend time with each other in person! After Natalie's graduation in May of 2023, she decided to pursue a master's degree at Clemson while Clayton was working in Atlanta.

In June, the couple started another 2 years of long distance with Natalie in Greenville, SC and Clayton in Atlanta, GA. Clayton went with Natalie in September of 2023 to get her pup, Willow. Willow immediately knew these two humans were going to be her pawrents. Clayton's visits to Greenville became even more frequent as he was eager to see both Natalie and Willow.

When Natalie was home for Thanksgiving break in November, Clayton had quite the surprise planned. Friday, November 29, Clayton picked Natalie and Willow up for a walk at The Mill. The couple spent an hour walking around the trail. Willow loved all of the leaves and new sniffs, Natalie complained about Willow pulling her, and Clayton stressed about what was coming (little did Natalie know). As the couple walked near the waterfall, Clayton proposed! After the amazing moment, Natalie and Clayton walked to dinner, where their families and Natalie's best friend, Elle, joined them. It was the most perfect night!

Natalie graduates in May of 2025 and plans to move back to the Atlanta area. Clayton and Natalie are excited to be back in the same city together, surrounded by both of their amazing families!

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Atlanta History Center