We’re getting married!

Our love story began in the most romantic setting imaginable—In-School Suspension. Yes, you read that right. We both got sent to ISS for being on our phones in class (clearly, we had important business to attend to). While some might say detention is a punishment, for us, it was just an early sign that we were meant to break the rules together. After high school, Shelby moved to Alabama for college while Tommy stayed in town. Life took us in different directions for a while, but a few years after Shelby moved back, Tommy invited her to a concert. She wasn’t sure if it was just a friendly catch-up or something more—but as it turns out, it was definitely more. That concert kicked off something special, and we’ve been pretty inseparable ever since!

Our trip to Santa Monica was supposed to be a fun getaway—a chance to see family, explore the city, and cheer on Keilyn, Tommy’s niece, at her softball tournament in LA. Since LA has always been a special place for us, filled with unforgettable memories, Shelby had no reason to suspect that this trip would be any different. On what seemed like a normal morning, we were headed to brunch with our best friends, Hallie and Logan, who had joined us on the trip. We thought we’d stop by the beach beforehand to take a few pictures, but Shelby—hungry and fully focused on brunch—insisted that pictures could wait until after we ate. Hallie, thinking fast, mentioned there was a wait at the restaurant, so we decided to take a walk along the beach in the meantime. As we strolled, Tommy started leading Shelby further out onto the sand. Before she could ask what was going on, he was suddenly down on one knee, asking the easiest question she’s ever answered. Meanwhile, our friends and family—who had been hiding in a nearby parking lot, ducking behind cars like they were part of a stakeout—watched the entire thing unfold. The moment Shelby said “yes,” they came running toward us, making the surprise even more perfect. With the ocean behind us and our favorite people around us, it was the most incredible, unexpected moment. We spent the rest of the day and night celebrating, making one more unforgettable LA memory—this time, as fiancés!