Marina is a paralegal at a law firm in Anderson, SC and has been in the legal profession almost 6 years. She also volunteers in SC Kids at Second Chance Church, and both James and Marina have been part of that community almost a year. Marina— “I love hanging out with friends and we both love spending time with our family, as well. I love being out on the lake and enjoy fishing with James, whether it's on the lake or in the mountain's, trout fishing. I especially love chasing waterfalls. There is something about it that is so calm, relaxing and breath taking about a waterfall. Proof in our engagement photos!”

James is a heavy equipment technician for a local construction company and has been in automotive and diesel repair for 18 years. James— “I'm an outdoorsy guy and fishing is my main passion. One of our favorite activities is camping on an island on lake Hartwell with friends and just enjoying the downtime.”

The two of them met in September 2019 through James’ sister, although later they realized they had actually met the year before when James rescued Marina by giving her a ride back to the dock from where she was stranded on Party Island.

We had the best time getting to know them at their engagement session and we can’t wait for their wedding in September! Keep scrolling to read more of their story, plus see our top picks from their Engagement Session!

What was life like before you met compared to now?

Marina— “My life wasn't the greatest before I met James. I had recently gotten out of a bad relationship and was sleeping on my friend's couch when James and I officially were introduced. James' sister (Amanda) knew what I had been going through. I had become friends with her over the last year or so prior to James, and about month or two after the breakup was around the time Amanda introduced us. Obviously, I had some baggage at this time and didn't think a relationship was a good idea, but Amanda thought this was a good opportunity for both of us to have a friend. It didn't take long until we both started falling for each other, but the first year of our relationship wasn't easy. It took a lot of patience, understanding and a whole lot of love from James while I was still fighting some inner demons from my past life and relearning who I was before then, removing toxic traits and learning to trust again. I couldn't have asked for a better person to be my side while I tried to find myself again. I love this life with him, and I wouldn't change anything in the world.”

James— “Life was based mainly around work. I had been travelling with the construction company for 7 years before I joined my dad remodeling houses. He and I are too much alike and couldn't always see eye to eye on projects lol. I spent most of my free time hanging out with friends and family. Now families are way more involved. All of our best friends have families of their own and I am sure we are going to follow suit soon ourselves. The main priorities at this time are getting our lives established to include each other in just about everything we do.”

How did you meet? And what was your first impressions of each other?

James— “I first met Marina through my sister Amanda. She's a bartender at a local bar/restaurant that we both frequently go to. Amanda knew I had just gotten out of a relationship and she proposed I meet Marina and we be new friends. Well, apparently my sister had a good eye for women I like because we hit it off right off the bat. My first impression was this girl is nice and funny and she doesn't mind making a fool of herself. That's attractive to me because I like that she enjoys having fun and making others smile.”

Marina— “There were a couple times I spotted him at the bar when I was out with friends and noticed Amanda was talking to him, and I asked who was sitting at the end of the bar. She told me it was her brother, which at the time I have no idea Amanda had a brother. She thought it was a good opportunity for us to meet and thought we both could use a friend....it didn't take long after seeing each other at the bar that I saw him glance at me. Prepared to wave Hi, I caught his eyes, and immediately went over there to sit down next to him and pursued a conversation with him which led to exchanging phone numbers. There was something about him that just pulled me in. He was so kind, with beautiful blue eyes and so tall! I was instantly attracted to him.”

When you first met, what attracted you most?

James— “Marinas eyes were the first thing I locked onto. The green eyes and the big smile had me falling very quickly.”

Marina— “James' beautiful kind blue eyes! I also love how he carried himself (w/ confidence), how tall he was and his arms!”

Who said I love you first

Marina

What did you do on your first date?

James— “I took marina to one of my favorite restaurants that unfortunately doesn't exist anymore. The place was called the Lazy Islander and they had some of the best chicken wings around. When Marina told me how much she likes wings I had to introduce them to her. She thought they were ok lol.”

Marina— “I had better :D One of our favorite restaurants we like to go to is Raines on Main...now they have some good wings!”

Favorite thing you like to do together...

Our favorite thing to do together is relax on lake on the boat. We both love the water, and the days seem to pass by a little slower. M: Agreed!!

Number one physical quality

James— “Marinas BUTT!!!”

Marina— “He's obsessed with my butt lol! I think my number one quality about James has to be his arms/shoulders. It's really hard to choose, if I'm being honest.”

Number one character trait

James— “Marina has a trait that's hard to explain. I guess it could be called OCD, but Marina just has a way to make sure everything is perfect in her eyes. It can get annoying but I enjoy watching her accomplish what she is setting her mind to.”

Marina— “I love how James' gives everyone the respect they deserve, always willing to help someone out whether its friends, our families or complete strangers. He is a true gentleman to me, as well!”

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced as a couple? And how did you overcome that challenge?

James— “I would say building back life together. I had been on my own for so many years with the traveling and all it was difficult for me to transition into life with someone else always at my side. I wouldn't trade it for the world now.”

Marina— “We both had personal challenges that we needed to learn to overcome and depend on each other so we can move past it in a better place and better understanding than we were before.”

How has your fiancé changed you?

James— “She's taught me to be more patient. She's been pulling me out of my comfort zone more and more as well.”

Marina— ”James has helped me learn to be a better person as an individual (Ex: Be better with my finances, learn to not always speak like a sailor lol), and the most important thing is learning to love myself and look at myself the way he does. I have always been my biggest enemy.”

Where do you see yourselves in 10 years?

Married with at least one child (maybe two) and hopefully in a house we both enjoy and want with some land.

Proposal Story

James— “I proposed to Marina on Christmas morning 2021. I hid the ring box at the bottom of her stocking. Marina really likes to peek at her presents, so I was hoping that she wouldn't find it. Come to find out she did peek at her stocking but luckily never saw the box (little turd)! I had to ask Marina to marry me after all of her excitement. She said yes. I also had to get down on one knee later that morning and propose the right way lol.”

Marina—”When it comes to surprises or gifts, whether receiving or giving, I can never hold the excitement too long until I start telling or peeking or showing. I'm very impatient and it almost bit me in the butt.”

James + Marina | South Carolina Mountain Engagement Portraits