It took just a few words for Mallory Mpare to pique Bradley (Brad) Quarles’ interest. Both in their freshman year of college, Mallory was chatting with some of Bradley’s friends when she excused herself to go catch the University of North Carolina and Duke basketball game. As soon as Brad heard that she was a Tarheels fan, he knew he needed to get to know this girl.
They decided to go see a movie and grab pizza afterwards, and they were surprised by how easily the conversation and laughter flowed. That feeling grew over the next seven years of dating, when in the fall of 2013, Brad asked Mallory to go ring shopping, just to get an idea of what she liked. But though Mallory was excited, she waited through the holidays—followed by New Year’s, then Valentine’s Day—wondering when he was finally going to propose.
On Mother’s Day, Brad brought Mallory to a couple’s massage that he’d won at a happy hour. After their session, they decided to grab brunch in Dupont Circle. But as the walked towards the intersection, Mallory saw some familiar faces in the crowd of pedestrians, and she soon realized that all of their family was waiting there for them. Whether Brad, overwhelmed with emotion, actually got the important question out before Mallory said “yes” is debated by the pair to this day.
The couple joined Kristen Lynne Photography at the secluded Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America for their engagement photos. They snapped some photos in formal wear, as well as some casual clothes to best capture their everyday selves. Mallory and Brad are currently planning a wedding for September 19, 2015 in Durham, NC.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
