“When he drove me home, we sat outside my house in his car and just talked for hours — neither one of us wanted to part ways,” she said.

They became closer over the next several months. There were phone calls, dates and introductions to one another’s families. In September, Ms. Parham helped Mr. Kovach celebrate his 24th birthday.

“I took him and my cousin to Red Lobster, his favorite place, and bought him some video games — we’re both fanatics — and some sweaters. He was so touched, he teared up, and that really touched me,” she said. “I really felt appreciated. It was our first major thing together that we celebrated. I always found myself in past relationships where you give and it’s not respected or appreciated. This is someone who recognized me and what I was giving.”

When Mr. Kovach used the restroom, Ms. Parham told her cousin she was going to marry him.

Two years later she did.

“It’s like we’re the same person,” the bride said. “I’ve never had anything come together so organically with another person.”

The marriage was somewhat spur of the moment. Mr. Kovach proposed spontaneously in Atlantic City on the boardwalk over the summer.

“We would have gotten married next June, but I’m pregnant and that’s when I’m due,” said the bride, who now uses the surname Parham-Kovach. “We wanted to be married once the baby got here. I wish I had a traditional wedding. My grandmother and sister aren’t here. But the experience is still special. I never saw myself getting married. I never planned a wedding in my mind. This is the next best thing.”