we're getting married!

They met through a friend (hint, hint…she’s one of the bridesmaids) on their way to Jack in the Box after school. Shanelle was a sophomore and Chad was a junior. Their group of friends walked quickly leaving Shanelle and Chad behind the pack. As they were walking, they got to know each other more….until Chad asked Shanelle to be his girlfriend. As he asked her, he ran into a pole and fell to the ground. Shanelle was in disbelief of what just happened. She laughed while helping him up and turned him down and said no. From there, began a friendship that blossomed into something more.

Chad had been planning to propose to Shanelle, but never found the right time or place. He even went through getting different engagement rings with the help of Shaleah (Shanelle's little sister), debating on which one Shanelle would like more. Once he found the ring, he could not figure out how or where he wanted to propose because he wanted it to be perfect for his future wife. He went back and forth between proposing during a hike, a family get together, or just them two together. One thing he knew for sure was that he wanted Shanelle’s family to be there. He held and hid the ring for almost a year until he found that special moment.

On the night of December 9th, 2018, was the night he wanted to pop the actual question. As we all arrived to Christmas town, Chad made it evident that he wanted to find the perfect location to ask. In this world, nothing is perfect, but it’s what you make of the situation that makes it perfect. And for Chad, he wanted to make it as perfect as he could. Chad asked Shanelle’s cousin, Dana and Shanelle’s father Sammy, for advice for where was the right place to ask in the town and she responded, “You will know when it’s the right spot.” As we all walked around the town, every corner had twinkling lights, which created the perfect ambiance for a proposal. With a few location ideas in mind, Shanelle’s family members eventually reached the end of exploring and already found themselves at the entrance. They all wanted to leave for dinner, but Chad still didn’t ask the question. At the entrance was a beautiful, tall, glimmering Christmas tree, with a platform for people to take photos. Running out of time, Chad knew this was the right moment, right time, and right place. The whole night was filled with taking photos, so each family went one at a time to capture a moment. As it got to Shanelle and Chad’s turn, Chad wanted to make their moment special. Shanelle was ready for the photo and he remained standing. As impatient as Shanelle was, she wanted to get it over with and there Chad stood, slowly bent down to his right knee, and asked the iconic question, “Shanelle, will you marry me?” Shocked in disbelief, her jaw stayed open and no answer was said. Chad continued to ask, “Is that a yes?” And a “YES!” is the answer he sure got, as Shanelle nodded her head and hugged him immediately afterwards. Shanelle’s family was cheering, as well as all the bystanders witnessing the proposal for the new couple! As tears fled from Shanelle’s face, another photoshoot was initiated with her beautiful engagement ring. Mr. and Mrs. Future Cabunoc, was engaged at last!