Logan and Shelby met at the end of March 2020 in the height of the pandemic. Their first date was at Logan's apartment in Peoria on April 10th 2020. Logan took the entire day off of work to clean his apartment. Shelby was impressed by the cleanliness! However, through the duration of their dating relationship it was never as clean as it was that day (LOL). Logan wore a brown vest, button down flannel shirt underneath, jeans, and cowboy boots. Shelby wore a black and white stripped long sleeve shirt, an army green vest, and jeans. Logan bought a vase of 12 red roses to set on the table for the first date and cooked chicken alfredo and garlic bread. Both of them ate about 2 bites.. The rest of the evening was spent chatting about life on Logan's balcony in lawn chairs and discussing what each person was looking for in a long term relationship. They also watched Tiger King on Netflix. Logan did ask Shelby to be his girlfriend on the first date, but Shelby let him know that she would see how the weekend goes and give him an answer by the end of the weekend. I mean, the man knew what he wanted for sure. :)

The second date was the very next day, Saturday April 11th, 2020. Since most restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and businesses were closed due to COVID Logan and Shelby got Chick-Fil-A from the drive through and ate it "car picnic style" by the Illinois River in East Peoria. This is when Shelby realized she was falling for Logan.

On Sunday April 12th 2020 Logan grabbed one single rose from the bouquet that he purchased from the first date and officially asked Shelby to be his girlfriend. Shelby responded, "yes" and the two have been inseparable ever since.

Fast forward to July 2021. Logan's job was transferred to South Carolina. The two of them had a huge decision to make. They both knew that they wanted to be together long term so they packed up and moved together to Greenwood South Carolina. This was a huge milestone for the both of them. They were 12 hours from family, both started new jobs, and navigating their relationship through a global pandemic. It was nerve racking and exciting all at once.

In August 2021 Logan and Shelby adopted their first fur baby Louie. Louie brought the two of them so much joy, comfort, and company. He is now 3 years old and living his best life.

The South Carolina chapter of their relationship was HUGE. This is truly where they discovered they were meant to be and were going to make it through anything life threw at them. It was just the two of them and the dog. They learned to heavily rely on one another and work as a team. They also got to expereince a whole new part of country. They explored the the Carolinas and Georgia. They frequently traveled to the mountains in Asheville/Hendersonville, NC to discover new breweries and wineries, spent their 2nd Anniversary in Wilmington/Carolina Beach, NC, went to the beach in Hilton Head, SC, and went to Atlanta, GA to the Chick-Fil-A Headquarters, the Atlanta Aquarium, and World of Coca-Cola.

Logan and Shelby grew as a couple, individually, and professionally in South Carolina. They made life long friends through their jobs, and truly learned how to do life together as a couple. This both a challenging and rewarding part of their relationship. South Carolina will ALWAYS hold a special place in their hearts.

In May/June 2023 Logan and Shelby packed up again and headed back home to IL where they bought their first house together!

In July 2023 they went on what Shelby thought was just an annual North family vacation to Destin, FL. During family sunset pictures on the beach Logan proposed to Shelby in her happy place after 3 and 1/2 years together. It was the perfect moment.

Their story is certainly unique but they would not want it any other way. They feel so blessed to have the support of each other's families and look forward to spending the rest of their lives together!