Johnny and I were set up on a blind date by two very dear friends 10 years ago. At 20 years old, it was by far the most thoughtful and fanciful date I had ever experienced. (Previously frequenting Chili's) A double dinner date with our friends and a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower all on day one! We fell quickly, but as young love often does, we fell apart. Little did we know what our future held. We both often express our thankfulness for those years apart because coming back together made our love what it is today. After several years, we ended up reacquainting at none other than those same two dear friends' baby shower, where Johnny was the chef of the event. What seemed like a chance encounter turned out to be a well-curated reintroduction in hindsight. As soon as I arrived, I was tasked with something that had me hip to hip with the chef himself. Once again, we fell fast and hard. This time, though, God had bigger plans for us... and here came our beautiful, unknowingly oh-so-needed baby boy. He cracked our hearts wide open and started a family we hadn't even realized formed. We celebrated a year of dating in the same month he was born. The titles of Mommy and Daddy came easily to us. We settled into our new roles and faced challenges far beyond our capabilities at the time. With a lot of help and our focus on him, we saw into each other in a way that most people do not reach early on. Nothing came easy, but what we wrought was an iron foundation and a lifelong commitment before we knew it was time for “I Do.” As Kyle has grown and gained his own traction, it has allowed us to fall back into those starry-eyed lovers. And in a blink, there I was, back at the place where it all began. 10 years later (to the day), Johnny took me out for a surprise evening last fall. I sat back in that same restaurant where we first met(this time with far more than Chili’s under my sleeve—thanks, Chef), and following dinner, as you would guess, was whisked to the top of the Eiffel Tower once again… this time with a little more than sweet nothings and a stolen kiss: a proposal. A full-circle moment. I was posed with the easiest question I have ever answered. from blind date... to fiance. Unlike some marriages starting fresh, our relationship has already experienced many peaks and valleys. As anyone, we have so many differences but have always agreed that loyalty, love, and family are our reason for it all. We made a promise while waiting for Kyle that no matter what, we would figure it out together. For him. Little did I know, that decision would clear the way for “us.” It evolved into a commitment to each other, not just to our son. How lucky we are to have faced such adversity and succeeded. To have already felt the ground quake beneath our feet and stood steadfast... The commitment we plan to display for you, our dearest loved ones, will be but an echo of the beautiful life we already lead together. We cannot wait to celebrate this triumph with you all! —Shannon, Johnny, and Kyle Pat