Beginning Forever

The year is 2018. Shannon is a sophomore in college, and Jason a junior. The young couple did not have many things in common at the time. Jason spent his time working in a coffee shop, his business classes, and living in a frat house. Shannon spent her time getting ready to lead her honors society, flawlessly exceling in her science courses, and spending time with her friends. Jason was never very good at studying around others, while Shannon maintains self discipline to actually study around her friends. In the library one day, Jason had met his end after about 27 minutes in the library and was ready to head out. His exit somehow caught the eye of Shannon, who then spent the next hour finding and stalking him on Instagram until she learned, his hometown, what high school he graduated, and most importantly started liking his OLD Instagram pictures. Jason being the incredibly dedicated register boy at a local coffee shop, saw these notifications between cleaning the dishes, ringing in customers and brewing coffee. His first break led him to eagerly look at her profile, and also like her OLD Instagram pictures. Star struck lovers, both afraid to initiate a conversation. They quickly recognized that they had a friend in common Teddy. Shannon, asked Teddy about Jason. While Jason took action to ensure that Teddy invited Shannon to their big Spring Rush party. All he needed was a moment, he knew she was exactly what he was looking for. The big day arrives, Jason continues to badger Teddy to make sure she is coming. The party begins, the inflatable slip n slide is functional and the music is blaring. Upon recognizing Shannon as soon as she walked onto the backyard deck, Jason prepares for his big move. He sent another friend to tell Shannon to "look over there", and as soon as she turned he propelled himself full force down the slip n slide, legend says he was the fastest of the day. Clearly catching her attention he smiled giddily and looked up at her to make sure she saw his sick moves, whilst her friends were screaming to come talk to her already, he swiftly made his way to the deck. From their first hello, the couple knew true power of the connection they had just discovered. From then on the couple has continued to grow, meeting milestones, working on themselves, and building a foundation for the rest of their lives.

- April 7th 2018: The couple met at the rowdy yet wonderful frat party hosted at Jason's off-campus TKE house. - April 20th, 2018: After less than two weeks of dating, Shannon brings Jason home to meet her parents and bestfriend, Hannah. - June 10th, 2018: Two months later Jason brings Shannon home to meet his parents and brother. On her birthday. They didn't know it yet but both Shannon and Jen were SUPER nervous to meet each other. - June 18, 2018: Shannon dropped enough hints in their 3 months dating and Jason finally asked Shannon to be his girlfriend. Jason curated a beautiful date for the two of them in San Francisco, which included riding bikes though Golden Gate Park, visiting a Japanese Tea Garden, purchasing local art, and failing miserably at a local escape room. The date ended at Foreign Cinema, a beautiful outdoor venue for dinner and a showing of 1984's Splash. The gorgeous night ended with Jason asking her to be his girlfriend by presenting a ring in the shape of a wave to represent Santa Cruz where they met. -August 4, 2018: Shannon jets off to Europe for a month and misses Jason dearly. Their relationship goes international as they keep in constant communication as Shannon gallivants across 9 countries. -June 10th, 2019 Shannon and Jason celebrate Shannon's 21st birthday at a the Red Room in Santa Cruz with some coworkers. Shannon has a final exam the next morning so only one celebratory beverage is consumed! -June 15, 2019: Jason graduates from UC Santa Cruz with a Bachelor's in Business Management and Economics with a minor in Technology Information Management from College 10. -June 18, 2019: First anniversary. Shannon and Jason embrace their inner child at Dave and Busters in Carlsbad and celebrate Shannon's belated birthday in the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter with her bff Hannah. -December 8th, 2019: Shannon and Jason impulsively adopt their first child (cat) named Goose from the San Jose Humane Society. She was 14 at the time and will be turning 19 this coming November. While she is "bright and lively" for her age, she is suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease and we are working with the vet to know exactly where she may be in the process and how we can help maintain her quality of life. She spends her days fully stuffed and sleeping on Shannon's reading chair. December 31st, 2019: After a year and a half together, Jason presents Shannon with a promise ring (spoiler alert!). -March 16th, 2020: COVID strikes. Jason is sent to work remotely and Shannon's classes go virtual. The couple quarantine together in Jason's Jessup house with Trevor, Josh, Matt, and Chris. Quarantine activities include daily runs, making TikToks, game nights, and Jason learning how to do Shannon's nails and hair. -June 12th, 2020: The parents meet. To celebrate Shannon's (virtual) graduation with her Bachelors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and her belated birthday, Jen and Tosh generously host Shannon's mom (Donna), grandma (Garnet), and brother (Sean), at their home for a small celebration. -July 20th, 2020: They move in together in a SMALL apartment across from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk while Shannon continues her Master's degree over the next year. -June 23rd, 2021: Jason and Shannon buy a car together in anticipation of their move to Colorado! -July 13th, 2021: Shannon and Jason host about 40 of their friends and family at Ideal Bar and Grill for a going away party! Several people comment on how the festivities feel a lot like a wedding.... (spoiler alert!) -July 20th, 2021: MOVING DAY! Santa Cruz, CA >>> Aurora, CO so Shannon can pursue her PhD in Toxicology at University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus. Jason transitioned from sales and earned a teaching credential via alternate licensure from the Aspire CU Denver program, and continues to educate the minds of tomorrow by instilling his contagious positivity to help them understand success and the important role education plays in the rest of their lives.

- September 9th, 2021: The couple officially adopted their second child (cat), Mister. Much larger and more kitten than Goose, the gentleman was 2 and a half when he met the couple and is going on 4 this year. A troublemaker and menace, who deceptively pretends to appreciate pets before striking his victim. 2022-2024: These years are filled with building lives together in Colorado and picking up hobbies like hiking, rock climbing, traveling, camping, concert going, reading, and gaming. During this time Jason and Shannon mourn the loss of Jason's bestfriend, Trevor. - June 9th of 2024, Jason (finally) pops the question during an extended birthday weekend full of pampering and luxury. He recreated their San Francisco date in which he asked Shannon to be his girlfriend (see above). He worked in cahoots with the company to plant the ring at the very end of an escape room. She said yes. - June 10th, 2024: The couple took engagement photos that Jason had scheduled before the proposal. (Yes I am flexing.) -July 2025: The couple are eager to tied the knot and are planning an intimate ceremony near Lake Garda in Italy.