Donald and Amber began dating on October 22, 2003.  From that day on, they were inseparable.  They did everything together... attending concerts, going to the movies, and just spending time together daily after school.  They were even each others' dates for both of their senior proms.  They were truly high school sweethearts. 

Christmas Eve of Donald's senior year of high school, he proposed to Amber.

On December 24, 2004, while participating in the Hughes' family tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve, Amber was told to go first since she was the guest in the house.  When she went to pick out a present from underneath the tree, Donald grabbed her hand, told her to wait a minute, and got down on one knee under the mistletoe.  "Will you marry me?"  After a lot of joyful tears, the answer was "Yes!" and at 17 and 16, Donald and Amber were engaged to be wed.  Their special moment was caught on videotape.

When Amber's parents were told about the engagement, Amber's dad asked that she wait to get married after college, and she agreed.

While she attended the College of William and Mary, Donald and Amber were determined to keep their relationship as close as it'd always been.  Almost every weekend, every spring break, every fall break, and every winter break, Donald and Amber were together.  During Amber's freshman and sophomore years at William and Mary, when she wasn't allowed to have a vehicle on campus, Donald drove up constantly to visit, and during her last two years, she regularly made the drive back to Portsmouth, VA. 

After Amber graduated from the College of William and Mary, she moved in with Donald.  They now have been living together for a little over 2 years and have 3 "kids," Newo and Lina, both German Shepherd/pit bull mixes, and Isabel, a ball python.

They are living the so-called "American dream," both working for the federal government while Amber completes a Master's degree.  They make life work, even if Amber isn't that great at keeping a clean house. 

Donald and Amber's love grows a little deeper each day.

After being together for so long, Donald and Amber are estatic about getting married on their 8 year dating anniversary.  With 150 of their closest family and friends anticipated to be in attendance, they are ready to confess their love to each other, not just "til death do us part," but for all eternity.

They hope that with contributions from their guests combined with their own savings, they will be able to visit England and Ireland for their honeymoon in August 2012.