Shane and Carla's story starts in Miami, FL, a place neither one of them--nor anyone else, for that matter-- could have ever imagined they'd find their future spouse.

Let us set the stage for you. The year is 2020. COVID and Tiger King are taking the world by storm, and both Shane and Carla have recently moved to Miami: Shane for his new job as a Federal Prosecutor and Carla because it's Miami.

Though Shane made his move a year prior to Carla's arrival, in one of many serendipitous aspects of their adventure, they moved into high-rise apartments within a block of each other.

Having not ventured outside his studio apartment in several months, Shane--whose need for human interaction trumped his fear of COVID--reluctantly accepted an invitation to attend a small (outdoor and CDC compliant) gathering at a co-worker's-friend's-parent's pool. Knowing no one there except for the co-worker, Shane struck up a conversation with a guy named Sebastian. They instantly hit it off and Shane left the event with an invitation to "work remotely" at Sebatian's apartment pool a few days later (read: sit by his pool with his computer).

As it turned out, Carla had recently met Sebastian through college friends independently of Shane and had also been invited to "work" by his pool the same day.

As fate would have it, Shane and Carla rode the same elevator up to Sebastian's floor together. Carla remembers thinking, "yum, that's a tall drink of water. Too bad I'll never see him again." Shane remembers thinking, "look cool because this cute girl is looking at you."

As they exited the elevator, they awkwardly began walking in the same direction, not yet putting together that they were going to the same place. Carla, who was a step behind Shane, blurted out, "I swear I'm not following you."

They ended up at the same apartment door, where Sebastian and his girlfriend escorted them down to his pool. Shane impressed Carla by asking her to score his dive as he jumped into the water, and Carla reciprocated by asking Shane to "play mermaids." Their connection was undeniable and instantaneous, though neither knew what, if anything, would come of it.

In the following months, Shane and Carla continued to run in the same group of friends and often saw each other in casual social situations.

But in January 2021, after a LONG night (afternoon) out in Miami, Carla agreed to go on a date with Shane. Or so Shane says...the facts were a little fuzzy for Carla.

Through dinners and Miami Marlins games, batting cages and mini golf, weekend getaways, and movies in the park, Shane and Carla became inseparable. They said "I love you" after 3 months, moved in together after 9, and rescued Lola (their dog) shortly thereafter.

As 2023 rolled around, Carla, Shane, and Lola were ready for their next adventure, and they packed up their life and moved to Washington D.C. after Shane accepted a position with the Department of Justice.

It took a few months to adjust to D.C., but Carla and Shane finally got settled and bought their first home together!

From friends, to roommates, to parents (of Lola...let's not get ahead of ourselves), to homeowners, to (almost) spouses, neither Shane nor Carla could have scripted their love story any better. We are so appreciative for those of you who have been by our sides during this wild journey, and we cannot find the words to express how grateful we are to celebrate it with all of you.