In early 2016, we met as many couples in our modern age are wont to do, via the magic of the internet! Through some convoluted combination of taps, clicks, and swipes, we somehow managed to finally meet in person… and after much pleading (on Derek’s part), one date turned into two, and three, and too many to count by now. Our shared love of travel, sports, cooking (and eating) all helped make our relationship grow, and adopting our soon-to-be ring bearer, Nash, in 2017, helped give our bond even more purpose and direction.

After Derek’s procrastination (per usual) in booking a photographer for their annual Christmas card photos, Shundeez desperately reached out to her friend Sarah to photograph the couple (with her phone) on a crisp Tuesday December afternoon in 2018. For the sake of time and convenience, Derek & Shundeez picked the nearby Menil Park as the location, needing just a few decent pics for the card. Unbeknownst to both Shundeez and Sarah, Derek kept a ring in his pocket as they took photos around Menil Park, the newly-built Menil Drawing Institute, and the Menil Collection building. As the sun quickly set and Derek nervously checked his pockets again, he then asked Shundeez for “just one more picture… with me doing this” as he got down on one knee and finally pulled out the ring that sparkled in the twilight. Shundeez at first was confused, bewildered, and unsure if this proposal was one of Derek’s many “jokes,” or if it was real. Genuine it was, and after another quick pause, Shundeez replied, “Uh, I guess?” to Derek’s proposal. Derek clarified the proposal AGAIN, and Shundeez (finally and enthusiastically) said, “Yes!” Luckily, Sarah caught the whole moment on camera, the Christmas card came out even better than initially hoped, and the happy couple celebrated with friends well into the evening.

Since meeting, Shundeez & Derek have adopted their dog, Nash, moved in together, earned two masters degrees between the two of them, have taken too many trips together to count, and have almost completed their shared goal of seeing a game in all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums. (It'll happen in 2022!)