We were strangers for most of our lives, up until the last 5 years. We grew up in separate towns, never crossed paths, or knew each other existed which is funny considering we shared a common link of several lifelong mutual friends.

If we wanted to put it simply, these common friends decided after knowing both of us our whole lives.. that we should meet and they couldn't think of a reason that they didn't suggest that sooner, once that idea had popped in their heads. An idea that had eluded them our entire adult lives (like come on guys, we aren't getting any younger here).

Needless to say, Chad and Shelby were both forced to come to a cookout with these mutual friends to meet one fall. We met, talked some, and that was it. We went back to not knowing each other existed, aside from being friends on social media.

But then Chad consistently kept "liking" dog pictures on Facebook, prompting Shelby to message him. Once the conversation started, there hasn't been a day since that we haven't spoke. Through the natural progression of getting to know one another we decided it was worth going on an actual date, after all.. our friends did think we were perfect for each other.

I'm not sure how you describe our first date, other than both of us knew that night at the Mexican restaurant (super classy, we know) that we had just found the person we were going to spend our forever with. We talk about it now and as crazy as it sounds, we were both in love with each other well before we knew it. In each other we have found our best friend, a mirror of ourselves in another human.

The rest of the last 2.5 years has been nothing short of everything that we could imagine as a couple. We've learned from each other, moved in to our house which has turned into our home, and created a four-legged family (or 12 legged, if you want to get technical about it).

Our lives are just beginning together, but it also feels like this is how life has always been, with each other, together.

I guess it really is true that your friends know you better and may occasionally make great suggestions, like who you should fall in love with.

We look forward to everything coming our way and with our family & friends being there for every second.

Love,

Chad + Shelby