Ethan & Libby

Our Story.

For two people with so much in common, Ethan and Libby spent a long time just missing each other! Ethan was born in Myrtle Beach. As a baby, he often rode on the back of his mother’s bicycle. The Burtons enjoyed biking to the beach, stopping on the way for breakfast at Akel’s Family Restaurant.

 

Near the Burton home, Libby spent her summers with Bebe and Granddaddy Sid at their house on Ocean Boulevard. The Gulledge family also enjoyed Akel’s and recent speculation by Libby’s uncle Bill has the two families eating breakfast side-by-side.

 

Ethan soon moved to Raleigh and the near misses continued. In 5th grade, Ethan’s dad encouraged him to take gymnastics. The effort ended abruptly when Ethan broke a full-length mirror near the trampoline at Kenny's Gym -- in the same building Libby and her friend Allison Donovan practiced competitive gymnastics. Libby remembers seeing the broken mirror near the Team cubbies.

 

In high school, Ethan and baseball buddy Chris Justice transferred to Broughton for their junior year. Libby was a junior too and Susan Stimmel remembers her daughter talking about the “cute” transfers. Ethan knew Libby for her bright-colored pants and Zebra-themed 1988 Isuzu Trooper. Once, Ethan almost crashed his car into the “Zebra Zu” as Libby was leaving pole-vaulting practice.

 

After graduation, Libby and Ethan left Raleigh.  Libby to UNC and Ethan to Brown University. One day, Libby randomly requested Ethan as a friend on Facebook and he stalked the “glamorous” headshots she posted while acting in New York and Los Angeles. Both moved from place to place, never settling in one spot for more than a year.

 

In 2011, both were drawn back to Raleigh.  Then, on June 16th Libby posted on Facebook, “Come visit me tonight for pint night at Natty Greens at the back bar!!!” Ethan was out in Raleigh with Seth Dearmin, a mutual friend who saw the post on his phone. At first, Libby didn't recognize Ethan.  But she liked the way he ordered the only non-Natty Greene beer on the menu. Ethan spotted Libby’s knee high boots and colorful baseball socks and knew she was different from the other girls in Raleigh.

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Soon after, they went on their first date to the Contemporary Art Museum and then Kayaking at Lake Johnson. On Sept. 10th, the two sat outside King’s Barcade. It was Day 2 of the Hopscotch Music Festival and the Flaming Lips had just rocked the downtown streets of Raleigh.

 

Libby asked Ethan if he was ready for more and he said yes. The two have been together ever since.