Shawn met Alexis in 2011 when he went on a trip to Washington DC for training. Alexis was living in Washington DC at the time and Shawn was on his way to Hawaii for work. Even though their lives took them in different directions, they kept in touch and remained friends over the years.

In 2016, Shawn returned to Washington DC for Navy work. Shawn and Alexis decided to meet up for dinner to catch up. A romance was kindled and over the next six months they maintained a long-distance relationship. Alexis took a couple trips back to Dublin, California to visit Shawn and they took a couple trips together. One of their first trips together was to Disney World when their nephew, Grover, was visiting. In early 2017 Alexis decided to move to California to live with Shawn.

Over the past three years Shawn and Alexis have enjoyed making their home together and traveling around the country (Orlando, Denver, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City, New Jersey City, Miami, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington DC, and Baltimore). They have enjoyed attending many, many community, fundraising, and political events. But above all, they enjoy spending holidays and life events together with their family, relaxing at home, and going to dinner and the movies.