On April 2, 2023, Gillian and Shamil met for their first date at Think Coffee in New York. Gillian was running early, did an extra lap around the block, and promptly walked into the coffee shop, walking right past Shamil. Luckily, he stopped her and the first date went so well, it felt like they had always known each other. Or so Gillian thought, until the end of the date when they went to leave, and Shamil wasn’t asking for her phone number. After a quick reminder, they exchanged numbers and haven’t stopped talking since. A small series of dates later (including a country music concert that she knew would shock her parents), they made things official, and Gillian introduced him as her boyfriend during her birthday disco party (which he knew would shock his family). Time went by quickly as they got to know one another and fell deeper and deeper in love. They were in what New Yorkers would call a long distance relationship with Gillian living in Astoria and Shamil in Jersey City. In the fall of 2024, Shamil told Gillian she needed to block off her calendar in late March of the following year, as he was surprising her with a trip. Until just a few weeks before they left, he kept telling her he was going to take her to “Idaho” to try to throw her off the scent, but she just had a feeling they were going to Hawaii. Luckily she was right and didn’t have to pack her winter coat, but did make sure she got her nails done…just in case. One night during their trip (after Shamil made sure Gillian washed her hair that day), Shamil got down on one knee on Ulua Beach and asked Gillian to marry him. They celebrated with dinner and dessert at The Four Seasons with the best table in the house, that also happen to have view of fireworks that were being shot off at a nearby resort (could he have planned for a better night?!). We are so grateful that you plan to join us and be part of our special day. See you in Hawaii!