The couple met 20 years ago at Conway Christian School and First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach. Brian’s older sister was Danielle’s childhood best friend. After keeping in touch over the years, Brian one day knocked on Danielle’s door and said he had been in love with her since they were children. The rest is history. Since they had such a long background together, the courtship was short. Brian completed Danielle and her son Finnly’s family. Danielle, a passionate runner, agreed to run the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon when Brian asked. After the race, overlooking the lake behind the Pelican’s stadium, Brian told Danielle to read Finnly’s shirt, which said “Mommy marry my Brian.” The pair eloped in Belize, where they got married in the rainforest at the Mayan ruin site Altun Ha. They read each other’s personally written vows and had their first dance to “Thinking Out Loud.” After the ceremony, the pair jumped into the ocean from a dock in Belize City. They live in Myrtle Beach. PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSE LUIS ZAPATA