Shonda was in her mother's back yard braiding the hair of a mutual friend of her and Barry's when Barry walked up to talk to that friend. He then walked off, but came back a second time to talk to that friend again. Shonda asked him "So you're just going to come to my house, see me sitting here, and not speak to me?!" He apologized, spoke and continued to talk to the friend. After that encounter, every time Barry walked past Shonda's house he made sure he stopped to speak to her.
As the weeks went by, they developed stronger feelings for one another then decided to date exclusively. They dated 4 1/2 years then decided to split because maturity levels were no longer balanced. 10 1/2 years later Barry reached out to Shonda and it was only Gods work because they both happened to be single at that time. They agreed to go on a date and while on that date they realized the feelings were still strong; Infact, the love was still there. 3 months later Barry asked Shonda to marry him and she said... well.. here you are on their wedding website :)