We're getting married!

Like all great love stories, ours began… at work. We were just two coworkers, minding our own business, until two of our best friends/ coworkers decided we’d be perfect for each other. When they first tried to set us up, I actually thought they were talking about another coworker — oops. Once we cleared up that little misunderstanding, a casual “you two should hang out” turned into our first date. Turns out, they were right — and now here we are, getting married!

Our first “date” was technically a double date with the coworkers who set us up. You’d think sparks would be flying immediately… but we barely talked to each other the entire time. (Nerves? Maybe. Awkward? Definitely.) But after the night wrapped up, something clicked — just the two of us decided to grab ice cream. That’s when the real conversation started, and we’ve basically been talking (and laughing) ever since.

We decided our so-called “first date” deserved a do-over — this time, just the two of us. The plan? A very competitive game of mini golf in Galveston. There was friendly trash talk, questionable putting techniques, and plenty of laughs. By the end, we both knew we wanted to keep hanging out… win or lose.

At the end of our first summer together, Shelby moved away for college. It wasn’t easy — long-distance is no joke — but we both knew this was worth it. Between late-night calls, weekend visits, and counting down to every break, we found our rhythm. We learned that love knows no distance… and that the best part of saying goodbye is always planning the next hello.

Rustin planned a special evening by recreating their first/second date. They started with another competitive round of mini golf — and no, Rustin didn’t let Shelby win, even knowing what was about to happen. Before dinner, he insisted they take a walk on the beach. Shelby had no idea what was going on; she was too busy splashing in the water, chasing seagulls, and being her usual playful self. As they walked, Rustin spotted a setup in the sand and pointed it out to Shelby, making her think they were about to crash someone else’s proposal… until Rustin dropped to one knee and she realized it was theirs.