It all began when Nicole traveled to California for work. One ordinary day turned extraordinary when Shawana spotted Nicole’s Instagram story and decided to shoot her shot with a bold, “HEYYYYYYY!” Sliding into her DMs turned into playful, flirty banter that neither of them wanted to end. That very same night, Nicole invited Shawana to meet her at Melody’s Bar & Grill in downtown Los Angeles. Meeting a stranger in the middle of the night might sound a little wild, but for Shawana, there was something about Nicole’s calming presence that made her say, why not? Sparks flew instantly—a mix of crazy fun and unexpected peace. What followed were late-night conversations, endless texts, and intentional time carved out just for each other. Despite the distance, they chose each other every single day. Their first official date came when Nicole returned to California the following month, and Shawana took her to hotpot. From there, the memories kept building: Nicole flying in and convincing Shawana to skip work just to explore LA together—wandering through downtown, eating Happy Ice, thrifting, and sneaker shopping. It wasn’t long before Shawana realized she couldn’t get Nicole out of her head. She knew then—cheesy or not—that this was love. And Nicole proved it in the boldest way. During her alumni weekend at Drexel University, she set up a halftime “free throw contest” at the Lady Dragons basketball game. Shawana thought she was there to shoot baskets in front of a packed stadium. Little did she know, Nicole had no intention of playing basketball. Instead, she dropped to one knee and proposed. Shawana was so stunned she stopped breathing for a moment before screaming out a resounding, YES! Together, Shawana and Nicole built a life rooted in love, resilience, and devotion. From their first apartment in Sacramento, to blending their families, to supporting each other’s biggest dreams—whether going back to school or advancing careers—they’ve always been each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Travel adventures fill their story, but Miami will forever go down in history as one of their wildest and most unforgettable trips. What makes their love shine are the little things too, like their shared passion for sneakers. It’s only fitting that their wedding hashtag is #HestersLacedInLove. Because for them, love is about being resilient through challenges, authentic in every moment, and devoted to each other above all else. Nicole adores Shawana’s caring, empathetic, and loving heart, always sprinkled with just the right touch of dramatic flair. Shawana cherishes how Nicole makes her feel safe, heard, and seen, while filling their relationship with patience, humor, ambition, intelligence, and compassion. If their love story were a movie, it would have the perfect title: Sole-mates. Because like the soles of their favorite sneakers, Shawana and Nicole’s love is built to last every step of the journey—strong, stylish, and forever laced together.