Hazen and Shannon actually met online through an online dating app called Hinge. Shannon was fairly new to town, she had just moved to the Fort Smith area about 10 months prior and Hazen was a native to the area. Neither really got out much, as they were both career driven and focused on other things.

With the influence of friends and/or family, they each gave online dating a try just to see what was out there. They both had their struggles with it and were growing more content with the single life style because of it, but decided to keep going and give it one last shot to see what the other had to offer. They quickly hit it off online and soon after met for a coffee date to ensure that the other person was who they portrayed themselves to be. This also gave them the opportunity to ensure that the other wasn't a crazy stalker or serial killer since they met in a neutral safe public place! Within a few minutes of chatting over coffee, they both quickly realized that the other was who they portrayed themselves to be online, so the nerves settled and a different kind of spark was created that was undeniable which led to an official first date.

Their first "official" date happened roughly a week later where they chatted more over dinner. After dinner, Hazen took Shannon to places around Fort Smith that had different significances to him like old childhood homes and even the McClure amphitheater which gives a view of what seems to be the entire city of Fort Smith. They ended the night with a not so friendly game of Phase 10 where Hazen proceeded to beat Shannon THREE different times. This is where she started to question her decision to even date him... just kidding!

They both really enjoyed themselves and continued going on random dates here and there. With this happening around the holidays, they were able to decorate for Christmas together, view Christmas lights, and even went to the Listening Forrest Exhibit at Crystal Bridges museum in NWA. Their love for each other grew quickly and by the New Year they both had felt like they had met "the one" (although neither of them really admitted it until a little later down the line).

They have already done a lot of traveling in their short time together. They first explored more local areas and went to Mount Magazine for a day. A few weeks later, they took a weekend trip to Tulsa, OK for Shannon's birthday. April came and she was able to take him as her plus one to Miami Beach, FL for a work paid trip after winning "Circle of Service" at her current job. After a few days on the beach together, they had decided to take another weekend trip and traveled to Chicago, IL. Here they were able to explore the city and visit a Chicago Cubs game which is actually Hazen's favorite baseball team. They hope to continue traveling together and would like to see at least one new city every year!

May 2023 rolled around and Hazen started to get with Shannon's friends on planning a proposal for her that she would love. They helped him arrange the perfect proposal for July, but last minute he decided he couldn't wait, so he moved the date up. With the help of his sister, Katie, while Shannon was at dinner with a friend, they set up an intimate proposal in their home, so that by the time she got home, he could get down on one knee and ask the question he had been longing to ask her. This day also happened to be the 60th anniversary of her grandparents wedding, so this date had a very special meaning in her family already. Shannon very quickly said yes and now they are enjoying the engaged life with their two dogs, Della and Wilson.

For those of you wondering, yes, Shannon certainly got her revenge and has beaten Hazen in many games, including Phase 10, multiple times! They do enjoy having game nights despite who wins and want to make regular game nights a tradition in their family.

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