After looking at 15 different venues in two states, contacting five caterers and trying on more than 30 dresses, Teresa Scribner and Jerome Shaw threw in the towel on event planning, opting for a destination wedding in Hawaii. The former college sweethearts got engaged in September 2023 after three years of long-distance dating. They’ll tie the knot in a botanical garden on the island of O’ahu in Hawaii in February 2025. While the couple initially wanted a big wedding with their family and friends, the cost of catering ultimately turned them off from the idea. “I’m not paying $9,000 for a taco bar,” Teresa exclaimed. “It’s freakin’ tacos!” Jerome’s request: it must be outdoors. “I want a ceremony surrounded by nature. I don’t want to hear any city sounds on our wedding day,” he said. The two were already planning a trip to Hawaii in February. Friends and family convinced them to turn the getaway into a destination wedding. Teresa and Jerome will honeymoon on the island of Kauai after the wedding.

Teresa and Jerome first met at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville after his best friend, Mike, introduced them. Jerome had recently transferred to U of A. Teresa was instantly attracted to his long eyelashes and how serious he was about school. Jerome loved her kind heart and her big butt. He's always loved her butt. Mike affectionately calls them "Resa & Rome." They eventually part ways. Resa moved to Texas then Seattle; Rome left to study abroad in Europe then moved back to California. They connect a couple times in Seattle, but lose contact in 2004. They won’t speak again for 15 years.

Rome sends Resa a game request to play Words With Friends. It was very random since they had not spoken in nearly 15 years. They played for weeks without saying anything. Exasperated, Resa messages him in the chat, “Are you at least going to say ‘hello?’” He does. They continue to chat in the app. Months go by; Resa and Rome still have not spoken by phone. He finally gives her his number, and they talk for a little while, filling each other in on what’s gone on in their lives. After months of being in lockdown from the pandemic, Resa and her niece, Alexis, decide to take a roadtrip. They end up in Sacramento. Resa invites Rome to hang out so they can catch up in person. He agrees to drive up from San Jose to meet them. He said he saw love in her eyes that night.

Resa and Rome were having family fun day with his son, Isaiah, at the Washington State Fair. As they were leaving, a fireworks show caught their attention. Rome tells Resa, “You give me fireworks,” and some other lovely words, but she blacks out when she sees him getting down on one knee. She said YES!