Jeramy and Shea first met as kids, just 7 and 8 years old, in Gilbert, Arizona. Jeramy played youth football with Shea’s older brother, Justin, which brought the Mayfield and Hinds families together and sparked a lifelong friendship. As the years passed, life led both families down different paths, moving to new states and new chapters. But in 2020, fate began weaving their stories together again when the families briefly reconnected. In July 2023, Jeramy and his mom planned a trip from Denver back to Arizona to visit old friends. What Jeramy didn’t know was that a surprise guest would change everything, Shea. From the very first time he met her as a boy, Jeramy had thought Shea was stunning. And when she walked into the room that summer night, that same feeling came rushing back, only stronger. This time, both Jeramy and Shea were single, and the connection between them was undeniable. One night of catching up turned into two, then three, and before long they were dancing together at Buffalo Chip on Jeramy’s last night before returning to Denver. Both knew something special had begun, and neither distance nor time could stop it. What started with texts soon became daily phone calls, FaceTime chats, and trips between Denver and Gilbert. By November 2023, Jeramy moved back to Arizona, the very place where two wide-eyed kids had first met years ago. Now, those same kids, grown, deeply in love, and full of gratitude, are getting married in 2026, ready to spend forever together.

When Jeramy realized he was ready to propose to Shea, one thing was clear from the start: it had to happen on a beach. With most of Shea’s family living in Southern California, and with both of them having grown up visiting countless beaches in the area, the setting felt not only perfect, but inevitable. The challenge, though, was keeping Shea from catching on. A spontaneous trip to California would be far too suspicious, so Jeramy had to get creative. Quietly, he began sharing the plan with friends and family: the proposal would happen at The Deck on Laguna Beach. The location held deep meaning for him, as it was a place he had visited with his dad on their last trip together before he passed. Even back in 2019, Jeramy had felt that a proposal there someday would be beautiful. Conveniently, just above The Deck sat its sister restaurant, Driftwood Kitchen, a patio-style space with wraparound windows and a perfect view of the beach below. Jeramy booked a reservation for a large group of friends and family in a back corner, hidden from sight until the big moment. Next came the question of how to get Shea to California without raising suspicion. The perfect cover story was a trip to visit Cynthia, Shea’s grandma. They stayed with her the first night, spent the following day at Knott’s Berry Farm, and when the big day arrived, spent the morning driving around SoCal to pass the time. Jeramy suggested they check into a hotel to “give Cynthia some time to herself,” then told Shea to get ready for a cute date, completely unaware of what was coming. By the time they arrived at The Deck, friends and family were already tucked away upstairs, hidden in the corner of Driftwood Kitchen. Shea and Jeramy enjoyed dinner downstairs before Jeramy suggested, ever so casually, that they walk down the staircase and take a stroll on the beach. Waiting behind a lifeguard tower were the photographer and videographer, ready to leap into action. Jeramy remembered Shea often saying he never takes cute photos or videos of her, so she handed her purse and phone over to him and he told her to walk towards the water so he could record a video. With a little suspicion, but eventually giving in, Shea turned and walked toward the shoreline. As soon as her back was turned, Jeramy set down her things, followed her closely, and gave the signal for the photographer. When Shea turned around, there he was, Jeramy on one knee, camera clicking, and above them, their loved ones watching from the balcony with tear-filled eyes. In that perfect moment, Jeramy asked the most important question of his life: “Shea, will you marry me?”