Our Story

Sometimes life brings people together when they least expect it, and sometimes, it brings them back together when the timing is just right.

Melissa and Carlton first met in 2020 when Carlton rented a home from Melissa. Years later, at the beginning of 2025, they reconnected through a mutual friend. What started as reconnecting soon turned into something neither of them expected.

Although Melissa and Carlton are very different in many ways, those differences have become part of what makes their relationship so special. Melissa is a planner, more reserved, and often likes to have everything figured out, while Carlton is spontaneous, outgoing, and never afraid to say exactly what he is thinking. Together, they have learned to appreciate their differences, laugh at one another, and create a relationship that is uniquely their own.

When they aren't busy navigating work and the chaos of everyday life, Melissa and Carlton love making memories together. They enjoy traveling, hiking, kayaking, fishing, discovering good food, and spending time with friends and family. They also enjoy volunteering at the animal shelter and spending time with Carlton's two wonderful daughters.

Their relationship is filled with laughter, adventures, and an appreciation for the simple moments in life. Whether they are traveling somewhere new, enjoying time outdoors, spending an evening with friends and family, or simply laughing together at home, they have found that the best memories are often made just by enjoying each other's company.

In 2026, Carlton planned a proposal during a trip to Puerto Rico before the two embarked on a cruise together. Carlton originally planned to propose while they were having drinks outside with his family. However, when his mother's phone flash unexpectedly went off, Melissa noticed everyone watching and suspected something was going on. The surprise was officially ruined!

Instead of going through with the original plan, Carlton waited until later that evening. He then proposed privately on the balcony of their hotel room, overlooking the ocean in Puerto Rico.

What could have been a ruined proposal turned into something even more perfect.

It was intimate, sweet, unexpected, and completely theirs.

Now, Melissa and Carlton are excited to begin their next adventure together and cannot imagine a better way to celebrate their marriage than surrounded by the people they love while sailing through the Caribbean.

We are so grateful to have our family and friends joining us as we celebrate this exciting new chapter and look forward to making unforgettable memories together aboard the Mariner of the Seas.