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In a city as big as Atlanta, Virginia Highland somehow manages to feel like a small town. For Ben and Haley, the neighborhood isn't just a zip code; it’s the narrator of their relationship. I sat down with Haley to hear about the "VaHi" landmarks that defined their journey from a first date to their first year of marriage.
Where did the Virginia Highland chapter of your story actually start?
"It all started on St. Charles! Ben was living in a house there with a bunch of his guy friends when we first met. That porch became such a huge part of our world. We’d end our dates there drinking hot chocolate, and it’s eventually where we had our first kiss. It was also the spot where I accidentally blurted out 'I love you' for the first time. Ben was actually planning to wait until he proposed to say it, but I totally ruined his timeline! Later on, after he proposed at Ansley Park, that same house on St. Charles was where we hosted our engagement party with all our favorite people."
I love that the neighborhood played a role in the proposal, too. How did Ben manage to keep the ring a secret in such a connected community?
"It was tricky! He got my ring from Highland Diamond, which was so special to us. Since I was living on University Drive at the time, he was terrified I would spot him walking in or out. He had to be so strategic, only going to pick it out while I was at work. Right after he popped the question, our very first stop was Murphy’s to celebrate. It just felt right to be there."
Now that you’re in your first year of marriage, what does your daily life look like as VaHi locals?
"We love how Virginia Highland is such a tight-knit community of people. It’s been so special to spend our first year of marriage living here. We’ve become true regulars at San Fran Coffee—Lisa, the owner, knows us by name now. We also love the 'hot chocolate at the bar' hack at Murphy’s, and we are obsessed with Highland Tap. There is nothing better than the fireplace room there once winter rolls in."
When you look at the future of your family, how do you see this neighborhood fitting in?
"Virginia Highland has been such a sweet part of our story. We hope we can stay here forever and raise a family here. But even if life eventually takes us elsewhere, we can’t wait to tell our kids about the exact streets where we fell in love and began our lives together."
