Something like 6 years ago or so, Shereen was working as a nightshift nurse at Johns Hopkins hospital, and John was working as a nightshift transport paramedic. The transport team and the NCCU always had a great relationship from working together so much. For years, Shereen had no idea who John actually was, she never knew his name, but he always seemed nice. One morning, a group of NCCU staff, the Transport team, and pharmacy decided to get post-shift drinks and breakfast at Slainte in Fells Point. This ended up becoming a regular thing and happened a few times a week. After a while, the crowd dwindled down until it ended up being just John and Shereen. At some point tattoos came up as a talking topic, Shereen wanted to get one but wouldn’t go alone. John agreed to go with her and try to get one as well. After getting tattooed they went to dinner in Canton and sat and talked for hours. Continuous texting followed for months thereafter but finally, on Shereen’s brother's birthday, she invited John out to meet up with them and so began the “are they or are they not together” which also lasted a few months, despite constant talking, texting, and being together. Time went by and the relationship grew, becoming best friends and lovers. Because how can you be lovers if you can’t be friends, right?

With Shereen doubting it would ever happen, John had secretly been meeting and planning a ring design for about 2 months prior. On the day of the proposal, Zolley got to visit both sets of grandparents with Shereen and John tagging along. After a nice night visiting the parents, John had planned a nice sappy proposal at home with wine. Waiting in the living room for Shereen to come downstairs for the big question, John was going stir crazy and having a slight panic attack. Meanwhile, Shereen was upstairs shopping a BOGO deal for water bottles, completely unaware of what was happening downstairs. With anxiety and frustration finally reaching his breaking point, John went upstairs and as Shereen was changing clothes he reached over and placed the open ring box on the dresser. As Shereen stood up it became eye level, catching her by complete surprise. “Wait what is this?!?”, “Well do you want to marry me?”. Shereen began to cry and yelled “Yes, of course!” Then we sat on the bed, both crying and laughing while staring at the ring.