Shanda And Shad

Our engagement photos are finally here! but I thought It might be fun to share our story with those of you who don't know it while I show you the pictures! here we go!

 When I was in High School, my choir took a trip to San Francisco California during Spring break. while we were on our way there, We stopped at a Panda Express just outside of San Fran, in San Jose. After we got our food and were eating, some LDS missionaries came in, got their food, and sat at the booth right behind us. I turned around to talk to them, and found out one of them was from Rexburg Idaho! (only an hour away from my hometown!) what a small world. and he was CUTE too!

 

we talked for a few minutes, and then it was time to go. My best friend joked for weeks after that that she had felt a connection between the missionary and I, and someday, we were going to get married. (it turned into a big joke for us)

fast forward a few years. After starting college, getting injured, moving home, moving out again, and starting school in Rexburg, I was not happy to be there. I hated the idea of a small town. my boyfriend had just left on a mission and then dear jane'd me, and my other best friend had just taken a job across the country. I was lonely and unhappy. I had no interest in dating anyone at the time, So when guys would ask me out, I would say "Oh, I'm sorry, I have a missionary in San Jose!"

 my best friend in cosmetology school wanted me to go out with her soon to be brother in law, but I had no interest. so I told her the usual story. "wow, thats weird!" She said. "maybe Shad knew him, he just came home from his mission in San Jose!" I didn't even think anything of it. a few weeks later, she had tricked me into a blind date with this Shad guy (and I quote: "FINE! I'll go, but I promise you, I won't enjoy it at all! Boys SUCK!")

Shad came to pick me up, and he looked SO FAMILIAR! I could not figure out where I knew him from. but the date was wonderful. we had so much fun! there was an instant connection. we were inseparable from that moment on.

6 months after that first date, I was flipping through some old journals. I found the journal entry about the day we met the missionaries in San Jose. then I realized I had completely forgotten the missionary was from Rexburg!!! I Immediately picked up my phone and called shad and told him to go find his mission journal from that day.

"My Companion and I went to Panda Express for lunch today. There were some high school girls from  Pocatello, Idaho there! One of them talked to me for a while, She seemed really cool. What a small world. maybe we'll bump into each other again some day."

On Shads birthday, October 20th, We spent the day together doing all the things he wanted to do. We went out to eat at Olive Garden, and he even got me to go to the Haunted Mill (Shad LOVES scary stuff...) which I will never be going inside again! (I HATE scary stuff!)  He had some friends in town from Utah, and they were staying in the Red Lion Hotel, Which had a 24 hour hot tub.  They told us to grab our suits and come over!

When we got to their hotel, they weren't there! So we called them, and they said "Oh, we ran to grab some food! just hang out in your car or something, we'll be right back!" We went to the car, but Shad just grabbed out coats and said "Lets go for a walk!"

We walked over to the greenbelt, to a little overhang on the river that looks out across to the temple. It was beautiful, even if I was freezing my butt off! After talking for a few minutes, Shad got down on his knee and pulled out a ring box! but just as he went to open it, it slipped out of his fingers, and into the river! I almost jumped in after it. I turned around and watched it float down the river and over the waterfall... I absolutely DIED! 

I turned around to look at him, to see what to do, and there he was, grinning, still on his knee, with the REAL ring box in his hand! My very first reaction to his proposal: "YOU ARE SUCH A BUTTHEAD!!!"but then we laughed it off, and obviously, I said yes. :D 

that was 8 months ago, and after lots of preparation, stress, excitement, and trying on about a thousand pounds of tulle, We are getting married in three short weeks!

on June 29th, I get my happily ever after with my Prince charming. We will be sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah temple, Followed by a reception and dancing in my parents back yard. 

I am so thrilled to be sharing this exciting time with all of you! 

If you would like more information on our wedding, (Directions, Registry, etc)  you can go to 

www.shandaandshad.ourwedding.com

Oh! and all photos were taken by Allie White, of AK Photographie. She is a PHENOMENAL photographer in the southeaster Idaho area. I highly recommend her! She is so fun to work with, but also very professional (A combination that I have found hard to find!)  you can check her out on Facebook, or at her website: akphotographie.com