Once upon a time, a long, long time ago………………

Shannon and Randall first met at Mt. Zion Baptist Tabernacle where their mothers chose to attend church when they were both very young. They attended Sunday School, Youth Group, Homecomings, and Sunday School Picnics together – each keeping busy doing what little girls and little boys do.

They both watched as Shannon’s brother, Stacy and Randall’s sister, Becky started dating, fell in love, and soon tied the knot. They both traveled with Shannon’s family for a time as they went from church to church singing gospel music. Shannon was the lead singer and Randall helped to set up and tear down the equipment.

As the years went on, they would cross each other’s path from time-to-time. They both watched as they each got married and had children. They watched (or heard through the family grapevine) as each marriage ended.

They both have memories of that time. Always being drawn to each other, one of them always being taken, and that Shannon enjoyed doting on Randall’s oldest daughter, Kylie. It was this special bond that would end up bringing them together once and for all.

Shannon and Kylie were Facebook friends for many years and Shannon watched as Kylie had her babies and would post pictures of them. In February 2021 she messaged Kylie to tell her how beautiful her kids were and that they reminded her of Kylie when she was little. As they talked Shannon asked her about her dad and asked her to tell him that they should get together and catch up sometime. The rest – as they say – is history……………..

Once Randall contacted Shannon things moved quickly – it was like no time had passed at all. They came to realize that they had each been through some very bad times, even times when it looked like they might not make it through due to vehicle accidents and emergency sicknesses. They like to say that they both “kept God very busy keeping us alive until we could find each other again.”

On March 13, 2021 they entered a committed relationship with each other and there has't been a day that they have spent apart since then. Randall proposed on December 26, 2022 during their annual Family Christmas Brunch as they were surrounded by their kids and grandkids.

It has been a long, broken road full of ups and downs, traffic jams, and detours but they have finally made their way back to each other – and they have found that they are finally where they were always meant to be.

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Thank God

Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown

I was lost, You found a way to bring me back

Needed forgiveness, You always gave me that

Girl, I'm a witness of your love, 'Cause you don't be giving up

And it's crazy, How you saved me

Hand on the Bible,

Don't know how I got you But I couldn't ask for more

Girl, what we got's worth thanking God for

So, thank God I get to wake up by your side

And thank God Your hand fits perfectly in mine

And thank God You loved me when you didn't have to

But you did and you do, and he knew

Thank God for giving me you

Thank God

Thank God for giving me you

Never thought I'd find an angel undercover,

Who made a change to everything, From my heart to my last name

Hey, hard to tell, When he fell, That boy was Heaven sent

And every night, When I close my eyes, Before I say amen

I thank God I get to wake up by your side

And thank God Your hand fits perfectly in mine

And thank God You loved me when you didn't have to

But you did and you do, and he knew

Thank God for giving me you

Thank God, Thank God, Thank God

Oh, thank God

Thank God for giving me you

Songwriters: Josh Hoge, Kyle Fishman, Christian Davis, Jared Mullins, Jaxson Free