Ben and Sherri met through a mutual friend in 10th grade at North Port High School. Their paths had crossed numerous times before this, but they had never officially met. One day, Ben had to drive Sherri home after a night out at the mall, and there was an instant connection. Ben was just so sweet, attentive, and caring and they instantly became friends. Little did Sherri know, Ben would be her knight in shining armor. As the years went by, Ben was always there to help Sherri through hard times. He was always funny and charming and was always there in the darkest of times. It wasn't until five years later into their friendship that Ben would pull Sherri out from the darkness one last and final time. This time, she held on to him and promised to never let him go. From that moment, the future became so bright with the hope and reality of a love so true and pure that anything was possible.

Ben and Sherri have built a beautiful life together over the course of six years. They started dating in 2015 when Sherri was in college and Ben was working full time. They have two cats, Lexie and Cobie, who are their world.

Ben and Sherri's life together officially started on July 15, 2015. Sherri and Ben had just recently reunited during the Summer of 2015, going to car meets and hanging out as friends. However, they both knew it would be much more than that. As Sherri left for her three week trip to Texas, Ben officially asked her to be his girlfriend, a moment neither of them would have seen coming just a few years prior. Of course, Sherri was thrilled and said yes. She had waited for this moment for years and she was finally in a place in her life to be able to say yes to the man who had waited so many years for her.

From this moment on, they started going on small adventures together, from museums to aquariums to car shows. After about 6 months, Ben and Sherri moved into their very first apartment together. Within a few months of living together, they decided to adopt two sweet kitties - Lexie and Cobie. After graduating college and moving out of their parents' homes, they started new jobs and had many ups and downs navigating a new life together.

After a few years and a few moves later, Ben and Sherri bought their first home in September 2019 and officially became homeowners together. With their two kitties, they moved their entire lives into their new dream home - an actual dream come true.

From flying across to country in the spur of the moment to buy a dream car, to driving to other coasts for car shows, to traveling for Call of Duty events Ben competed in, to buying their own house, to establishing themselves in their careers, and helping each other grow into their best selves, there was no doubt in their minds that they were meant to be together (with their kitties) forever. Ben and Sherri will officially be Mr. and Mrs. Shives in January 2022, a day they both cannot wait for as they have already waited so so long.

On Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020, Ben took Sherri to do one of her favorite activities - to look at Christmas lights. Dressed in Christmas leggings and sweatshirts, they hit the road. They drove around a few different Christmas light displays after getting dinner at their favorite restaurant, DaRuma.

They made their final stop at the UTC light display and decided to stroll around to see all of the lights up close. It was a cold, chilly night, so they snuggled together in their sweatshirts and walked arm in arm looking at all the beautiful Christmas lights.

When they found themselves in front of the big Christmas tree light display set to music, Ben looked at Sherri and asked her "You want to be with me forever?" to which she replied "Of course I do." He asked "you promise?" "I promise." He looked at her and said "You know you were my first kiss right?" Sherri giggled "of course!" At this point, Ben said "Well I want you to be my last." and he got down on one knee. He pulled out the most beautiful ring, the ring Sherri had always dreamed of. Not only was it the exact ring she had always wanted, but it was coming from the person she had always wanted.

Ben even had his best friend Preston there to get photos of this once in a lifetime moment. It was absolutely perfect.