Phillip and Shelley met many years ago when Shelley was bartending at Coaches. Phillip would frequent happy hour on Fridays with a coworker friend of his who knew Shelley’s dad. Shelley worked every Friday- sometimes day shift where she would serve their first few rounds and sometimes night shift when she would bid them all farewell. Many years go by until one night Shelley and Phillip ran into each other and ended up at.. you guessed it- Coaches! Phillip used the line “I have a boat at Buckeye Lake” which made Shelley swoon! After a few fun weekends as friends catching up at the lake, Phillip asked Shelley on their first date. Shelley chose the restaurant, one of her favorites, Cameron Mitchell restaurant Marcella’s. Little did Shelley know, Phillip was none pleased with the authentic Italian food and preferred chain restaurant Olive Garden. He finally told her after they dated for a few months. So now Shelley only frequents Marcella’s with her friends. One night after leaving Buckeye Lake, Phillip asked Shelley to be his girlfriend. Yes, these days those conversations are required. After calling Shelley’s dad for his blessing, Shelley and Phillip became officially boyfriend and girlfriend on September 5, 2021. Over the months that followed, Shelley and Phillip found themselves attending a Buckeye game, going on a road trip to North Carolina for a romantic weekend getaway and meeting each others families. They both knew before the year was over that they were long lost soul mates and this was the real thing. After sharing Covid for New Years 2022, Shelley and Phillip started making plans to travel. Phillip went on his first cruise for Shelley’s 40th birthday and quickly realized how much he loved cruising. They discussed the future and eventually went ring shopping over the 4th of July holiday in 2022. Unbeknownst to her, Phillip returned to the jewelry store two days later and purchased the ring that she fell in love with. Phillip wasn’t sure what his plans for proposal would be, but he wanted it to be special, which it was. Phillip proposed to Shelley on December 13, 2022 on a cruise in the Caribbean. He took Shelley to a remote location on the ship and as they laid on one of the daybeds gazing at the stars, Phillip professed his love. He got down on one knee and asked Shelley “will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?” Shelley, of course, started crying like crazy and said “YES! YES! Oh my gosh is that MY ring?” Phillip then told her the story about how he snuck back to the jewelry store to purchase the exact ring she wanted. The excitement continued back home and they eventually decided they wanted a private intimate beach ceremony with immediate family. But- that doesn’t mean they don’t want to party and celebrate with their family and friends!! So, they invite you to join them at none other than where they first met, Coaches! They will have food, drinks and lots of dancing! They can’t wait to spend the rest of their lives together!