On December 16, 2018, it all began. Jay & Shawn matched on Tinder and from the first moment we chatted, we knew there was something different.
While we tried to meet at the airport prior to the holidays, with Jay's disdain for getting to the airport any earlier than he needs to, we waited until the new year for our first date.
Our first date took place on January 4, 2019 at Bar Dough. With a second date the very next day, we both knew there was something more.
Our shared love of travel brought our journey around the world. We skied in Steamboat and Whistler (aka Shawn après skied in the lodge), walked the strip in Las Vegas, devoured lobster rolls in Nantucket, painted the town rainbow at Toronto Pride, sipped Provincetown punch, ate our way through Taiwan, and met each other's families in Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Between these travels and visits from loved ones, we brought our own flavor into each others' lives.
2020 started off strong. We had our first anniversary at the same restaurant we had met a year prior and dove into a spa retreat at Miraval. In March, our plans took a massive turn. We found ourselves, like many, spending day in and out at home.
2020 turned into an "us" year where we could be present with each other in an intentional and deliberate way. The airport runs were replaced with daily walks and giggles on the couch, but each moment brought us even closer together.
After a year of baking bread, Zoom birthdays, and wellness walks, we planned a week in Hawaii. Given how busy the year started off, Shawn was solely focused on a week to unplug. Meanwhile, Jay had other plans.
We kicked off the week in Lana'i, and then made our way over to the Big Island on March 29, 2021, overcoming every travel hurdle known to man. Completely unaware, as Jay went to prepare, Shawn spent the afternoon swimming laps, sunbathing, and helping Lindsay on her resume.
As dinner approached, Jay had ironed our clothes (clearly a warning sign, who irons in Hawaii?!) and we left for "a surprise." Still oblivious, Shawn put on a blindfold above his surgical mask, effectively covering his entire face for a ten minute golf cart ride.
To Jay, this felt like the longest golf cart ride he had ever been on.
Despite mother nature and airports throwing every possible curve ball at us, as we approached the site, the clouds and wind gave way to a sunset for the ages.
Shawn took off the blindfold and gasped. Jay was standing in front of Shawn's sister Maggie, Jay's sister Reese, and our friends Kenny & Chris. This was the moment we had waited for. With our song Temporary Love playing in the background, Jay asked Shawn to marry him.
Shawn, of course, said yes!
We are so excited to be able to celebrate the next steps of our life journey surrounded by so many of the people we love. Each of you have been a pivotal part of our journey together and made us who we are today.
Thank you for your endless love, and see you in Hawaii this December!