Brought together by friends, Ben and Shelby started their love story at a small coffee shop in May 2021, where what was supposed to only be a quick cup of coffee turned into a 6-hour long conversation about everything and anything. They then started officially dating June 26th of 2021.

Very quickly these two became almost inseparable (to the point that Ben got a part-time job working with Shelby on weekends). Very little were Ben and Shelby not seen together. When not working they would continue to support each other in their education journey, eventually Ben would end up joining Shelby at Eastern Michigan University. When not working or studying Ben and Shelby would have date nights that would consist of MarioCart, Movie nights, Mini golf, or diner dates. They loved making regular trips to Chick-Fil-A whenever Ben would go out to visit Shelby on the west side of the state and Applebees after Shelby had moved to Ypsilanti as after work date spots as well as the most special place of all, South Haven Michigan. Here they had their second date and years later Ben proposed to Shelby under the gazebo in the park overlooking the marina.