In June 2021, Shelby traveled from California to Austin, Texas, for a friend’s bachelorette party. At the same time, Thomas, from New York, was in town for a bachelor party. It turns out, in this seemingly big world, our groups had mutual friends, which brought us together for an unexpected meeting. On the last night, Shelby walked up to Thomas, and what started as a casual conversation turned into three hours of talking, laughing, and getting to know each other. Before we knew it, numbers were exchanged, and something that felt different and exciting was set in motion. Four weeks later, Thomas invited Shelby to New York for a weekend neither of us would forget. It was a perfect mix of exploring the city and enjoying each other’s company, solidifying that what started in Texas was just the beginning. Not long after, Thomas attended the wedding in Shelbyville, Kentucky, celebrating the bride from the bachelorette party where we first met. Over the next few years, we bridged the distance between our coasts by cherishing every moment we could spend together. We embraced the joy of meeting each other’s families, explored new destinations, and made a multitude of unforgettable memories along the way. As we turn the page to this beautiful new chapter in our lives, our hearts are overflowing with love and anticipation. We can't wait to share every joyful moment of this adventure with you. Your presence in our lives means the world to us, and we’re so grateful to have you by our side as we write the next pages of our love story together!