We met in an un-original way; on a dating app. It was shortly after Josh moved to Syracuse for medical school rotations. On Memorial Day, Josh asked Shannon out on our first date. We went on a long walk at Onondaga Lake Park, chatting and getting to know each other.

After dating through the following summer, fall, and winter. We knew that we had something special. We moved in together and took our first trip around New England. We visited Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, and always took the scenic routes. On this Valentine's weekend trip, we went to the Boston aquarium, ate hot pot, and explored Josh's favorite spots around his medical school.

Through 2022 we met and grew closer to each others families. Shannon visited Texas for the first time and got her first pair of cowboy boots. Shannon's sister got married in December 2022 and it was here that Josh had the opportunity to attend his first wedding.

The early part of 2023 was somewhat nerve-wracking. As we were awaiting the release of Josh's residency match hospital, we began house hunting. When we found out we would be staying in Syracuse, the real search for a home began. We saw dozens of houses and put in and lost many offers. Our offer for a house was finally accepted in April and the waiting for closing began.

Josh's graduation from medical school took place on May 20, 2023. We traveled up to Maine a few days before the graduation to explore. To Shannon's surprise, Josh had bigger plans for his graduation day. The morning of the graduation, with family, we walked to the beach to "take graduation photos." Once there near the ocean, Josh got on his knee and proposed to Shannon. She obviously said yes, and we popped the champagne! The graduation that afternoon was wonderful and Shannon got to watch her new fiancée walk across the stage to become a doctor. On top of all that excitement, we closed on and moved into our new home less than one month later.