We're getting married!

Shandi and Kyle met in an interesting way, thanks to a group of mutual friends! They first met when they were casually introduced to each other at an Irreverent Warriors Silkies hike in Jacksonville, NC by Rob Shattuck. Shandi had been friends with Rob for 2 years at this point yet had never met Kyle. The 2nd time they met was at the Wilmington silkies hike where they were in a couple group photos right next to each other. Months had gone by but Kyle would randomly like Shandi's photos on Instagram but Shandi never followed him back, oops. One day, when Shandi was about to give up on finding love, she decided to follow Kyle back and thought "Hm, he's pretty handsome!" and decided to send him a message. Now, Kyle wasn't looking for a relationship as he stated in the messages but if you know Shandi, she can be rather persistent. Kyle said "I want to focus on cars, guns, etc" and Shandi replied "Well, I can join you and take some really cool pictures." Kyle was home on leave in Tennessee but they both agreed to see each when he got back. Shandi then mentioned her favorite coffee shop was in Tennessee and Kyle being the gentlemen he is, decided to bring her a cup of that coffee all the way from Tennessee to Wilmington. That's when they also shared their first kiss, Shandi knew he was special and the rest is history.

The engagement story of Shandi and Kyle is a tad unique. They had been sending each other wedding things on Instagram for a while so it was established that one day, they would end up hitched. One evening, Kyle asked Shandi if she wanted to go look at rings, where would she go? So we went to look at rings and picked out Shandi's top favorite. However, there was a twist to this story - Kyle would be deploying in July 2023 and Shandi wanted to be engaged before he left. Shandi knew it would happen soon but just didn't know when. The day before Kyle left for deployment, they went to get coffee together at their favorite coffee shop like they do every Saturday. As they were walking into the shop, Kyle said he got a phone call from work so Shandi just walked in, not thinking anything of it. (Later, Shandi would find out that this was Kyle talking to Nick (the owner) to set up the whole engagement scenario). Kyle eventually came in and we started chatting with our friends in the coffee shop. All of a sudden, Nick (the owner of the shop) said he wanted to make a reel of introductions of the employees working at the shop. Of course, Shandi said "CAN I BE IN IT?" (even though she didn't work there). She watched Nick set up the camera, walk out and pretend to come in to introduce himself when all of a sudden out of the corner of her eye, there was Kyle down on one knee, asking Shandi if she wanted to do this life together with him! She was caught up in giggles and tears that Kyle had to ask "Is that a yes?" in which she responded "OF COURSE!"