FINDING LOVE IN LULULEMON:

On December 23rd, 2021 Ari walked into Lululemon looking for a Christmas gift for her little brother. After a small conversation and a few more quick glances, she knew she had to know the tall blonde lulu boy. Later that day she drug her little sister Abby back into the store (twice in one day? Yes she was stalking him). After seeing Ari drool over the handsome lulu boy, Abby put on her detective cap and found his instagram (this is still a very impressive feat as they didnt even know his name). Ari had the strongest feeling that she just needed to know this boy, so she worked up the courage to be that girl and followed him. On December 24, 2021, Shane slide into Aris DMs... After a few short DMs Shane boldly asked Ari on a date. Of course she accepted...

THE FIRST DATE:

On December 27, 2021 Shane and Ari went on their first date at Nectar Wine Bar in Kendall Yards. Right when they sat down the conversation never stopped, it was like they had known each other for years. As the wine bar began to close they both knew they didnt want to say goodbye yet. So Shane invited Ari to tag-along with him to meet his friends at BrickWest Brewery. Meeting the friends on a first date Ari thought, This must mean he likes me a little bit.. So Ari and Shane went to meet Shanes two friends Bean and James (and James’ mom..). The night continued with stories and laughter, until Ari learned that Shane and his two friends were moving to Seattle at the end of February. Although she was devastated to learn this she still could not fight the feeling that Shane was different than any boy she had met.

THE FIRST KISS:

After leaving BrickWest Shane and Ari went to go look at the Christmas lights in River Front Park. This led them to the Pavilion, now if you have never been to the Pavilion during winter it is a very magical and romantic spot. Shane knew what he was doing when he suggested they walked over there... They gazed at the lights and as the snow started to fall Shane pulled Ari close and they shared their first kiss. I am telling you, it was like something out of a Hallmark movie...

THE BIG MOVE:

After a few months of spending every available second together, Shane started packing his bags for his big move to Seattle. Although they both had developed deep feelings for each other, Ari didnt want to do distance. So right before Shane hit the road, they said what they thought was their final goodbye. (Okay Shane didnt think it was their final goodbye, but Ari sure did).. Shane got settled in Ballard, and Ari continued her life back in Spokane. A few months went by where they didnt speak at all. They both were devastated wondering what could have been...

THE RUN-IN:

After a long cold winter, summer time was finally upon us, which means it was time for Hoopfest 2022! Both Ari and Shane were playing in the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, aka Hoopfest. Aris friends Jacob, happened to be playing on the same court that Shanes team was. What were the odds?? After Jacobs game Ari noticed this big tall handsome blonde warming up for his game, it was Shane (who she hadnt stopped thinking about since he had left for Seattle). So her and her parents sat and watched him play. They had to leave before his game was over for her game, so naturally Shane came and watched her play. After the game was over they chatted a little and caught up on life, they both knew they were still crazy about each other, but sadly they both knew nothing had changed. He was still living in Seattle and she was still living in Spokane.

DIAMOND LAKE - THE FRIEND ONLY DAY:

July rolled around, which means Aris birthday month and the Eugenios annual Diamond Lake getaway. Of course Shane would never miss the lake getaway so he made to drive over the weekend to enjoy some much needed R&R at Diamond Lake. Around this time, Monica (Shanes mom) had texted Ari happy birthday and invited her up to their lake cabin for a birthday dinner. How could Ari say no to Monica? So she let Shane know she would be coming to the cabin, however they were going to just be friends that was it... So she arrived at the Eugenios lake cabin and it was as if nothing had changed. Shane and Ari chatted, swam, played SpikeBall, had diving contests and did head stands on the paddle boards. Shane respected the friend boundary that Ari had set (although they did lay on the dock and look at the stars, but friends do that... right?). After an amazing fun filled weekend it was time for them to part ways... again. They both were devastated. Shane wanted to try and make this work, but Ari being the stubborn girl she was still just didnt think it would work, in other words she was scared.

TAKING A LEAP:

August rolled around and Ari and Shane had barley talked. Ari was driving to Montana for her good friends wedding. It was on this long car ride and a long phone call with her mom that she realized she wanted to take a leap of faith and see where a relationship with Shane could go. So as Shane was driving back to Seattle, with is friend Bean by his side he got a very random phone call from a girl he was trying to forget about. Very hesitantly he answered the phone....Ari asked him if it would be okay if she came to visit him in Seattle and they could see if distance could work. He agreed that he would be willing to try. So four days later, Ari was on a plane.

DISTANCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER:

Shane and Ari did distance for 4 long but beautiful months. Sometimes Ari would fly over to Seattle to see Shane, but lets be honest Shane was mostly driving to Spokane to see Ari and her dog-son Murphy. After Shanes lease was up in Seattle he decided he wanted to move back to Spokane to be closer to Ari. God had his hand in this big move for them both. Right when Shane moved back he was offered a job in commercial insurance and a place for him to stay came available. They began their non-distance relationship and things kept getting better from there. They exchanged their first I love you on Christmas of 2022 and their love continued to grow.

THE PROPOSAL:

October 21st, 2023 Shane and Ari traveled to Southern California for a real estate conference. After they landed in California they went straight to California Adventure with Aris dad, mom and little sister Abby. They all had a blast together riding all the fun rides and eating one or two churros (okay maybe more)... Then after a long day of fun they decided to head to Huntington Beach to enjoy the sunset. They walked towards the pier and found a good spot to watch the sun go down. As they sat there Shane began to sweat, he knew it was time to ask Ari the biggest question he would ever ask anyone. Although he knew shed say yes, he still could not fight the nerves. He grabbed Aris hand and pulled her to her feet. Lets go closer to the water and see if its cold Shane said, wiping the sweat from his brow. Ari agreed and they began to walk closer to the waves. Oblivious to what was about to happen Ari looked over at her dad who had his phone lowered at his hip as if he was trying to sneak a picture. What are you doing? She asked her dad, Just trying to get a good shot of the sunset her dad responded. Ari thought that was a little weird but her dad was know for taking pictures from interesting angles. It was at that moment Shane grabbed Aris shoulders and turned her to face him. He began to tell her how much he loved her and how he couldnt imagine doing life without her. Whats going on? Ari asked nervously. Then Shane smiled at her and he got down on one knee and asked her the question she had been wanting to hear from him since the day they first met, Will you marry me. Ecstatic, Ari said yes and began jumping up and down with joy. What happened after that they don't know, as they both blacked out from excitement. But what they do know is that they get to spend the rest of their lives together.

THANK YOU JESUS!

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