The happy couple met online and started chatting on July 8, 2012. They had their first date on July 13,2012 at a restaurant called Mamma Lucia’s which is one of Shanika’s favorites. That connection you hope to find with that special someone was there because by July 21st they decided to officially start dating. While their ages are six years apart, the couple grew up only 15 minutes from each other. Shanika grew up in Lusby, Maryland of Calvert County and Donnie is from California, Maryland of St.Mary’s County. Those who know the couple, know they are just made for each other!! Even though their personalities are on different ends of the spectrum, Shanika being more type A and Donnie being more type B, they come together where it matters with their feelings for one another. From a health scare with Donnie and Shanika pushing to finish nursing school, the couple have made it through some difficult times and have come out on the other end even stronger and more in love. Living with each other for 99% of their relationship has given the couple all the time in the world to learn each other’s quirks and learn to love them. (Ok maybe not love but definitely accept!) Whether it be Shanika’s inability to squeeze the toothpaste correctly or how Donnie can leave countless water bottles around the house, either way each of them takes the other as they are and wouldn’t change a thing! Shanika and Donnie have been told by those around them that they just go well together and the happy couple feels the same way. No relationship is perfect, but the couple believes their love is one to be celebrated!

The couple will always have a funny story when it comes to when Donnie popped the question... About two years before the proposal, Donnie placed a picture frame with the words “One professional photo shoot” in the photo area thinking Shanika would organize the photo shoot and he would be able to surprise her with popping the question during the photo shoot. Well with Shanika being the penny pincher she is; she never scheduled the photo shoot and the idea never came to light. Going back to the drawing board, Donnie figured he would just try and catch Shanika by surprise one night and see how things went. So another normal evening comes by and Donnie (who was of course nervous about proposing in general) decided after having dinner out that he was going to pop the question when they got back to the car in some form or fashion. Well as Donnie worked up his courage and made his way to Shanika’s car door to open it so she could sit and he could slide down on one knee; Shanika caught him very much off guard by saying “Hey, what are you doing on this side of the car??”. Needless to say, Donnie didn’t propose that night. A few months go by and Donnie decides he is going to do his best to catch her off guard and keep it simple before anyone has the chance to ruin the element of surprise.

July 19, 2019 was a Monday like any other. The couple spent the day at home together watching movies as well as working on some chores around the house. When it came time to eat neither wanted to cook, so Donnie suggested having dinner with some of Donnie’s immediate family at local restaurant called Nicoletti’s. Thinking it was just like any other evening, Shanika agreed so they headed to dinner. Dinner consisted of a club sandwich for the bride to be and pepperoni pizza for the groom to be. It’s no secret that Donnie is a picky eater of just meat and potatoes and Shanika loves poking fun at him for it when she gets the chance. Well as the meal was coming to an end, Donnie comes over to the side of the table where Shanika is sitting and pulls out the chair next to her which led Shanika to make the remark “Oh no now he’s boycotting the meal, gotta go”. Next thing you know Donnie is on one knee, and Shanika is completely caught off guard but grinning from ear to ear. Donnie tells Shanika how much he loves her and how happy he is to have her in his life so much so he wants it to last forever. The question is asked and of course Shanika says yes! The fellow patrons of Nicoletti’s along with Donnie’s family give the happy couple a round of applause with cheers of warm wishes as Shanika and Donnie seal the moment with a kiss.

Shanika and Donnie just celebrated their seven-year anniversary, and couldn’t be more excited for their big day! Shanika and Donnie are going to wed on November 2, 2019. The ceremony and reception will be held at Swann Point Yacht and Country Club. They cannot wait to share this part of their love story with you!!