In November 2023, Shelby was swiping through Hinge (a respectable dating app), looking for love, and saw a message from a very handsome man with gorgeous blue eyes and a floofy dog!

They texted for a few days, exchanging witty banter back and forth, and met for their first date at Quiero Cafe in Portland. Shelby ordered a lunch plate and an empanada and Will, very startled by a car accident he had just witnessed, said he'd have the same. Over conversation about their respective Roman empires, they gabbed so fervently that, at one point, Will held his fork in the air with a bite hanging off of it for at least 10 minutes. Once back at her nearby apartment, Shelby swooned over how cute and funny Will was... and was horrified to discover that she had a big piece of black bean stuck in her teeth.

A few days later, Will took Shelby on their second date, where during a romantic stroll up and down East End Beach throwing Freya's red toy, they had their first kiss.

A few breakfast dates, beach walks, picnics, adventures and crossword puzzles later, they made it "official" and have been attached at the hip ever since!

Shelby and Will felt a deep connection right away through their mutual senses of humor, their appreciation for mental well-being, and their shared experiences of sobriety and recovery. Will's depth, thoughtfulness, love of surprises, delicious cooking, perfect dog and amazing laugh helped seal the deal for Shelby. Shelby's infectious light, dedication to family and friends, passion for adventure and experiences (Lady Gaga's truest Little Monster) and calming presence, made Will realize that she was the one.

Their love story has already taken them to St. Lucia, Paris, Costa Rica, Roxbury Pond (!) and most recently to an epic Central Park proposal followed by a Lady Gaga concert. It is the excitement of the big moments, and the effortless joy in the small, that has deepened their loving bond.

Their easeful Portland day-to-day consists of trail walks and red ball in the backyard with Freya, tending to their garden, URT (uninterrupted reading time), crosswords before bed, yummy homecooked meals, dinners and game nights with friends, visits to family near and far, and live music as often as they can muster the energy.

They feel so incredibly grateful and lucky to have found each other, and to get to celebrate their love with all their favorite people.

Shelby and Will can't wait to be married!