2020 has been an unexpected year, filled with cancellations and postponements. Joe and I were looking forward to celebrating our wedding with you all on July 19th, before Covid-19 had its way. On Thursday, July 9th, 2020, I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner and I looked over at Joe and declared, "We're eloping on Friday, July 31st!". Joe turned slowly around and met my gaze, and could clearly see the look of determination on my face, and replied, "Okay". If we couldn't have our original date, we would at least get to have our original wedding month and year! We reached out to our parents to share the good news and they were all elated to hear we still planned to tie the knot this year. Although eloping would be sufficient for us, we could tell our parents desired to have at least the immediate family present to witness our holy matrimony. With much thought and consideration, we decided to downsize our original 275 guest list to 40 in only 2 weeks time! We feel saddened that our close friends and extended family members won't be able to join us so we'll be including live video streaming of our wedding so people can still celebrate with us from afar. As much as we would love to celebrate with you all, we can not be together at this time. Pour up your favorite drink and join us as we celebrate becoming ONE on Friday, July 31, 2020 6:30pm CST. Thanks for your love and continued support! Love, Shameka and Joe

The story of Shameka and Joe began August of 2000 at Walther Luthern High School where they met and became friends. After graduating high school Shameka attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa and Joe attended University of Detroit, in Detroit, Michicgan. The two remained in contact throughout college and after, occasnionaly hanging out. October 2016 Shameka posted good luck to the Chicago Cubs on thier quest to the World Series Championship versus the Cleveland Indians on Facebook. Joe, a die heart Chicago White Sox fan, bet Shameka tacos if the Cubs lost the World Series and Shameka countered Joe's bet with a steak dinner if the Cubs won. Shortly after bets were placed, the two had dinner at Redstone American Grill where Shameka enjoyed a medium well steak, steamed and lightly sea salted asparagus, a loaded baked potato and room temperature Merlot. Many more restaurant dates, Netflix binges, vacations, family outings, prayers, and the birth of Savannah Grace later, Joe proposed! June 1st, 2019 at 11:58 pm Joe got on bended knee with baby Savannah Grace in his arms and asked Shameka for her hand in marriage. With tear filled eyes and a heart filled with joy, Shameka said YES! The two are looking forward to becoming ONE on July 31, 2020.