Shannon and Ray's story began at Annapolis Area Christian School. Ray likes to joke that Shannon had a huge crush on him and attended all his baseball games…don't let him fool you! The truth is they were two grades apart & barely knew each other then. After high school, their paths diverged—Ray to James Madison and Shannon to Penn State. But their common hometown friends kept bringing them together during breaks & holidays. In the summer of 2018, Ray asked Shannon on a date to Ryleigh’s Oyster in Baltimore. They clicked instantly, but long-distance did not seem feasible, with Shannon still in college and Ray in Baltimore. However, God had plans for them- as they started talking every day, distance no longer mattered. On October 7th, 2018, they officially became a couple. After about 2 years long distance, Shannon moved back to Maryland, they got their first apartment together in 2022 (with their beloved dog Winston!), and bought their first house in Catonsville in 2023. Through Shannon's law school journey and Ray launching Chesapeake Pest Management, they supported each other through every milestone. On the 21st of September (yes, you may hear this song at the wedding), Ray planned the perfect surprise. After brunch with friends in Harbor East, Shannon thought she was having a girls' day out. As she walked around the harbor's edge, there was Ray. He got down on one knee and asked Shan to marry him. Through happy tears, she said yes! ———————————— Our friends and family mean absolutely everything to us. We can’t wait to celebrate this new chapter in our lives with you all! R + S