Shannon & Brandon

"Hey, whose movie posters are those?" Little did Shannon know the effects of asking this question. Shannon, a film studies minor with a keen interest in all things cinema, would have been drawn to these glamorous, foam-board posters anyways. But with the additional confidence she gained from a little pal called alcohol, Shannon walked over with her dear friend Elisabeth to meet the movie poster owner. I should note here that Shannon and Elisabeth had just returned from studying in Galway, Ireland and were fresh off that study abroad high.

Elisabeth attempted to introduce Shannon to this movie-loving friend of hers, Brandon. Yet, Brandon, preoccupied with his hosting duties (he was making jungle juice after already consuming some himself), shooed Elisabeth away. The second time Elisabeth tried to get Brandon's attention, it worked. He walked over to meet Shannon, and the two continued to talk for the rest of the party. Towards the end of the night, a slightly tipsy Elisabeth would return to greet the two by saying, "I love you (pointing to Shannon), I love you (pointing to Brandon), I love this (pointing to the two of them), You should date!" For the record, we love you too, Elisabeth!

Before the two would depart ways that night, Brandon had already decided he wanted to see Shannon again. Did he ask for her number? No. Instead, he gave Shannon his phone, opened the Facebook app, and had her pull up her profile so he could friend request her. Oh, millennials...

A little over four years later... Shannon and Brandon finished undergrad at Saint Louis University and each earned a master's degree from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, respectively. In their new professional lives, they planned their first international trip together to Shannon's favorite place—Ireland. Shannon was very excited to be showing Brandon around and slightly nervous about having to drive on the other side of the road. While working on plans for their trip, Shannon reached out to her cousins, Paul, Bernie & family in Northern Ireland to see if they would be available for a visit. They worked out the dates and locations for their visit, which would happen towards the end of the trip. Unbeknownst to her, Brandon had been communicating with Paul on the side—enlisting his help in finding a place to propose to Shannon.

When Shannon and Brandon arrived at Paul and Bernie's holiday home in the Glen, Co. Donegal, they were thrilled to be with family and to be able to stay in this quaint Irish town. Paul, Bernie, and their son Jrrd, greeted the two with a delicious lunch and then the group headed out for a picturesque walk by Ard's Friary. While Brandon, Paul, and Jrrd were slightly ahead of the two women, Bernie, knowing that Brandon was about to propose, said to Shannon, "I know I just met Brandon, but I think he's really nice." Shannon replied, in her ever sarcastic tone, "Eh, he's okay."

The group came upon a beautiful viewpoint, where Shannon and Brandon were encouraged to go off and take a photo. Shannon went to pull out her phone for a photo and realized that Brandon was already on his knee. She noticed that her cousins were up on the nearby bluff and knew what was about to happen. Brandon asked Shannon to marry him, and Shannon said yes! They waved at their cousins to join them, and the group enjoyed a very windy champagne toast. Bernie would later say to Shannon in reference to her comment before the proposal, "You scared me. I thought you were going to say no!"

The group went on to enjoy a pint of Guinness at the local pub, a wonderful dinner at the Glen's one and only restaurant, and a starry night in the hot tub with a glass of wine. It was an absolute dream.

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Shannon would like to take this opportunity to thank her fantastic cousins, Paul, Bernie, and Jrrd, for all their help in making this moment so perfect. Being with family made the experience so special, and she is forever grateful to you for welcoming and working with Brandon. We love you!