We were at the right place at the right time......... I was working as a bartender at a bar called, "Good Times" in Blue Island, IL. Shawn was there to celebrate a family member's birthday. I noticed him as he started walking up to the bar wearing a fitted, white, v-neck t-shirt. I whispered to my co-worker that I thought he was handsome and pretty much that I was checking him out. She took it upon herself to mention to him that I was interested. Of course this made me upset with her, because I wanted to shoot my shot on my own (I'm a Leo lol). After their chat, he approached me and we exchanged numbers. A few days later he reached out to me and asked me out on a date to a pool hall/bar called, "Pockets." During our date, we found out that: 1) we went to the same High School (Curie High School), 2) had some of the same friends, 3) and he even attended a party that I threw at my grandmother's house while in high school. We were so amazed by all of this due to our popularity in high school and couldn't believe that we didn't know each other at that point in our lives. After all the many dates, sharing common interest, and talking for hours on the phone, we decided to make our relationship "official" on June 4, 2013

I was a little down that we (Shawn and I) couldn't take our annual vacation to a new destination for my birthday. So Shawn suggested for me to celebrate my 35th birthday at my mom's house with family and friends. I agreed, told him what I wanted on the menu, and let him do the planning/hosting. It was Saturday, August 22, 2020. I had just wrapped up a birthday photoshoot and arrived at my mom's house for my backyard birthday party. Everything was perfect! He made sure to pay for my nails, hair, makeup, and that I was dressed for the occasion. I assumed that he was just ensuring I felt really good on my birthday since I couldn't be at my happy place (a beach), but clearly he had other plans. It was time for me to open my gifts! I was super excited because I was hoping that Shawn purchased a Gucci belt and bag that I had my eye on. After opening up all the nice gifts I received from family and friends, he saved his for last. Not only did he gift me with the Gucci belt and bag that I wanted, he also said these words to me: "Remember that conversation we had? We had a conversation where I told you I will be asking you a question this year. So I don't want you with nobody else. I want you with me. I can't go any longer without you being mine. Will you be my wife?" I felt like I was dreaming! I couldn't believe this moment was happening. I asked my Grandma was it okay? She gave me her approval and I said YESSSSSSSS!!!

Met....................................April 2013 Became a couple.........June 4, 2013 Became parents...January 24, 2015 Bought our 1st home....July 3, 2017 Became Engaged..August 22, 2020 ***Fun Fact: #22 is our special number! Why? My birthday is August 22nd and Shawn's birthday is February 22nd. Our daughter was born on January 24th (we were hoping for the 22nd) BUTTTTTTT 2+2 =4. It makes sense to us lol. We decided to have our wedding in May since it is the middle month between our birthdays. We were hoping to get married on May 22, 2022 but unfortunately our date was booked for the venue. Although we are not getting our preferred date, we still have our year of 2022.