Top Fuel veteran Doug Herbert and Dr. Ginger Southall tied the knot during the Fourth of July weekend at a small, ocean-side wedding on the North Carolina coast.

“The whole weekend was so special,” said Herbert. “I was glad that my daughter, Jessie, and a lot of our family were able to join us for this incredible occasion. With all that’s happened lately, losing the boys and then my father passing away, Ginger has been there for me through it all. It’s nice to have something so good take place in my life.”

“Barefoot, on the beach, fireworks, and a total surprise to our families,” said Southall, who is a nutrition expert, recent health book author, and the former director of corporate wellness for Bruton Smith’s Sonic Automotive car-dealership conglomerate. “It was absolutely perfect, and I’m pretty sure Doug won’t ever forget our anniversary date: July 4!”

The happy couple will reside just outside of Charlotte.