Courtney grew up in Dyersburg, Tennessee. She graduated college from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she was a collegiate national competitive cheerleader (Pony Up). She received her Doctor of Optometry from the Rosenberg School of Optometry in San Antonio, Texas. Following optometry school, she completed a residency in ocular disease and ocular and refractive surgery at the Eye Center of Texas in Houston, Texas. She then practiced for 4 years at the Marietta Eye Clinic in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hennelly was born and raised in Mountain View, Arkansas. He then went on to attend college at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida (Go Gators), where he was a Dive Master. He graduated salutatorian at the UTHSC School of Denistry in Memphis, Tennessee. He is a few months away from completing a three year orthodontic residency at the UTHSC in Memphis, Tennessee, where he serves as Chief Resident.

Our story begins about 9 months ago when Courtney moved back home to Tennessee. She was excited to move to Memphis in order to be closer to family. At the time, Hennelly was in his second year of orthodontic residency in Memphis. After realizing they had mutual friends in Hennelly's residency program, they decided to meet for dinner at South of Beale in downtown Memphis. Courtney moved into her apartment on a Tuesday night and had her first date with Hennelly two nights later. The rest is history.

Over the next few months, Courtney and Hennelly enjoyed walking dates on Mud Island, dinner dates at Houston’s, Sunday church dates, and making pizzas together. They celebrated their birthdays together at Flight, which is where Hennelly met Courtney's family for the first time. The next weekend, they were off to the Ozarks to meet Hennelly's family. They had a blast dancing the night away at the Morgan Wallen concert with his family. Courtney still likes to joke with Hennelly that he invited her to meet his family in his hometown in Arkansas on the third date (she was happy he did).

The summer was full of lake days, fishing, hiking, bike rides, and outdoor concerts at Overton park. They saw their first play together at the Orpheum theatre - Mama Mia! Sundays quickly became their favorite day of the week. They looked forward to spending every Sunday together going to church and having a lunch date afterwards. They enjoyed growing in their faith together and becoming members of Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis. At the end of the summer, Courtney enjoyed supporting Hennelly coat his little brother Ike at his white coat ceremony in dental school.

The fall season was a highlight for Courtney and Hennelly. Hennelly went on his first European trip with Courtney and her parents, and they both will say it was the BEST WEEK EVER! They cruised the Rhine river through Germany, Switzerland, and France. They enjoyed castle tours, beautiful scenery and culture, gondola rides, hikes, biking and walking tours, and great wine and food. It was the middle of the week in Heidelberg "the City of Romance" that Hennelly first told Courtney "I love you.” They made memories on the river cruise that will last a lifetime. When they got home, they continued to cheer on the Florida Gators during the football season and even dressed up as a Florida Gator football player and cheerleader to pass out candy for the trick or treaters at Halloween. They also enjoyed cheering on the Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Tigers basketball teams courtside.

Just a few weeks later at the end of November, Courtney and Hennelly spontaneously took at trip to NYC to get in the Christmas spirit. They did everything NYC had to offer in just a quick 48 hours. They strolled through Central Park, admired the Christmas markets in Bryant Park, enjoyed the Christmas lights and a holiday cocktail at Rolfe’s, walked the Brooklyn bridge, dined at Catch, and went to Elf the Musical on Broadway. Their favorite part of the weekend was looking at engagement rings together.

Out of all the special memories, the holidays were their favorite! They loved spending Thanksgiving day with the Irvin’s at the family farm in Little Rock. They watched Christmas movies, cooked duck poppers for Christmas parties with friends and residents, looked at Christmas lights, and drove through Starry Nights at Shelby Farms. They had full hearts spending their first Christmas together with each other's families.

On December 28th, 2024, Dr. John Hennelly Irvin got down on one knee and proposed to Courtney at The Peabody Hotel in front of the beautiful Christmas tree. It was just the two them, exactly how they wanted it. It was beyond surreal. They then met both of their families at the Capital Grille for a surprise engagement party. This was a perfect night that they will never forget!

Courtney and Hennelly want to thank everyone who has supported them through their love story. They cannot wait to celebrate with each of you. See you on the dance floor!!!!!!