We’re Getting Married!

The story that led us to 'I do'...

It’s all thanks to Dad. Shannon had recently moved to FL to spend time with her parents, especially her Dad, who was battling cancer and undergoing intense treatment. On the tail end of Covid, jobs were beginning to open up again, and Shannon felt it was time to re-enter the world, but wanted something simple. Turns out, Macy’s was hiring in the jewelry department. She thought “this would be fun during the holidays,” and applied. Two days later she had a job interview and was immediately hired. Now here is where Skip comes in. The morning of her first day Shannon was struggling with anxiety. She didn’t want to go. She’d gained weight and was embarrassed to be in front of people. Covid had also left her feeling lethargic and disconnected. She decided to stay in bed and apply for jobs where she could stay at home and hide. Maybe teach from home, there were lots of opportunities for that kind of position. Her mother had come into the room and the two of them decided, “yes,” best to just stay home and pursue teaching…at some point. And that’s when Dad, The Ole Bear, came wheeling into the room with his red walker. “Time to go to work! Let’s go.” Shannon resisted and explained her new strategy for employment. But he saw through the BS, as he always did. “How many teaching jobs you got lined up today?” “Well, none.” “What job DO you have today?” “Macy’s…” she grumbled like a 38 year old going on 13. “How much money you got in your bank account?” “Not much.” “So you need a job.” “Yes.” “And you have a job. And it’s… today?” They both started laughing. And as Shannon prepared to launch into a litany of excuses, she heard a tiny whisper: “listen to your father.” Begrudgingly she got up. Her father motioned her to approach him, hunched over his walker and gave her a hug. “I know it’s not the easy way but it’s the right thing to do.” The rest is history. Shannon excelled as a sales associate. Macy’s kept her on staff and moved her to the mattress department. She needed special training to sell big ticket items, so she was sent to Macy’s Furniture Gallery down the road to be trained under their manager, Dave Sutschek. Now Dave says he was immediately drawn to Shannon. He had also come off of a terrible year, losing his girlfriend of 16 years to cancer. After struggling and mourning for an entire year he had recently resolved himself to try to find happiness again, and maybe even love. Enter Shannon six days later. She didn’t like him. Dave, however, was hopeful. He came to visit her on her first day on the job and walked her through her very first sale: a $15,000 purchase. Unheard of! Shannon, high off the sale, suggested they go out to celebrate. From then on the two were inseparable. Dave’s house was in disarray after the passing of Nancy, so the two of them began the exciting endeavor of repainting, and re-decorating his house. It’s suspected that somewhere in the back of their minds, they believed this would end up being their home. Dave asked Shannon to marry him on June 7th 2021 (her parents wedding anniversary). He proposed in the mattress department. We’re not kidding. It was very fast, but according to Dave, “when you know, you know.” Shannon was excited, but also terrified. She said yes. Then no. Then maybe. And then finally, yes. Then came an unexpected pregnancy. Soon after, Skip’s condition was diagnosed as terminal. Dave moved in with Shannon’s parents and helped nurse her father during his final three months. Skip Marshall passed in October of 2021 knowing his granddaughter was on the way. He also knew Shannon was going to be OK. She had Dave. Five months later a new family was made with the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Audrey Eileen Sutschek. And now comes the next chapter of holy matrimony. Things may have been done out of order, but God can make anything beautiful if you’re faithful to that faint whisper. Thank you, Ol’ Bear.