July 13, 2024 First Date: Shannon's Perspective: Our first date happened on July 13, 2024. We met at Stauf's on a Saturday after I was volunteering for Serve Day with Rock City Church at the senior center in Hilliard. I had forgotten that I was serving this day before committing to this date, so I went to Stauf's straight from serving and I was in my red serve shirt and a skirt - nothing fancy. I remember thinking this will be good because Phillip will get to see me in my normal clothes, nothing out of the ordinary. We talked for hours and he asked lots of deep and thought-provoking questions, not just "what's your favorite color?", so I knew he was different. I did not want to leave after we had been chatting for three hours and could not wait to see him again! Phillip's Perspective: The funny moments to add to our first date was I always drink my hot drip coffee with the top off (blame Bill Hughes). Stuaf's is notorious for having wobbly tables and Shannon is at times clumsy. She kept apologizing for kicking the wobbly table and "almost" burning me with the hot coffee. I tried to assure her it was no issue and my own decision to be close to danger. She also gave me a confusing side hug after 2 and a half hours of talking. It left me wondering "Does she like me as just a friend or something more". I guess we found out soon. July 19, 2024 Second Date: Our second date was on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Fiesta Mariachi in Grove City. We had a more formal dinner date and again connected and communicated so effortlessly. Because we were so busy talking, we only ordered an appetizer and did not even get around to ordering dinner until around 9pm. Again, the date went very well and I was excited to see him again! Phillip's Perspective: This was the first time I could tell she had more than just a little interest in me as we left arm in arm before a quick hug goodnight.

July 21, 2024 Third Date: Our third date was on Sunday, July 21, 2024. At this time, I was still going to Rock City Church in Hilliard. I knew Phillip lived in Hilliard, so after church I called him and asked if he wanted to hangout since I was in the area. He said we should meet at Spindler Park, which was right next to his house, to go for a walk. We ended up spending five hours together this day walking around the park, walking to Qamaria (coffee shop), and continued walking around the park. This was a special date because it was the first time we both realized this was worth pursuing and that it could go somewhere. This was the first time we held hands and I introduced the "20 second hug." From this date forward, we pretty much have spent every single day together. Phillip's Perspective: Shannon's flexibility and not needing a schedule for everything we did together really showed during this date. It was so rest filled to spend a large chunk of my Sunday with her. It also showed her interest in quality time with me and clarified that we both had a desire to deepen our bond. On the walk we also saw a couple of friends I know well (I know people everywhere it seems). After meeting Shannon, I asked them their opinion. The first words in the text back were "Marry that girl". I held that in my back pocket for a while as it was only our third date and didn't want to overwhelm myself or Shannon with that idea until later. Seems that friend had a good intuition about us. February 28, 2025 Proposal Day/Engagement Photos: This was such a whirlwind of a day, a rollercoaster of emotions for me. For starters, I had a feeling I was getting proposed to this date for multiple reasons/clues that Phillip let slip the previous week, so I was pretty excited and anxious all day this Friday. At about 2pm, one of my students had a seizure at my small group table, in front of my whole class. We ended up calling the squad and the paramedics had to bring him out in a stretcher. After a very emotional end of the day at school, I had to compose myself before going to Phillip's because I did not want him to know anything was wrong. Once I got to his house, we headed to Starbucks to grab coffee beforehand. Then, around five, we headed back to Spindler Park to go for a walk. We headed down the path and when we got to the bridge, he stopped me, told me I was a blessing and an answered prayer, and then popped the question. I said YES! And he had a photographer capture the moment and then to continue on to shoot our engagment photos. Then, to end the night, Phillip had an engagement party planned at Crooked Can with family and friends. A wild afternoon ended with a perfect evening! Phillip's Perspective: I wore a tie. I think that really gave away that today was going to be special. I sent a message to several friends saying I didn't think she knew and about 2 minutes after I recognized she was acting different (she knew the formal wear was something special). Wesley told me to write down my thoughts because I might freeze up. I doubted him, but man did I freeze. I have been a talker ever since I was young and for once I lost all my words. Just wanted to get to the one knee and one question quickly. June 14, 2025 WEDDING DAY Both of us: We are so excited you are celebrating our marriage with us!