our Story

💕 From Swipes to Santa Baby 💕

Some love stories take time.

After ten years on and off the dating app, HER, with no real success, Chanel had just about given up on finding her person online. Meanwhile, after Shawntese's grandmother told her to go “where the people are,” she finally downloaded the app… She met Chanel on her very first day.

Jackpot.

Shawntese still jokes that she found Chanel so quickly because she paid for the premium membership — while Chanel was navigating destiny on a free basic account.

When Shawntese first saw Chanel’s profile, she thought she was cute and sexy — soft with a little edge. But more than that, she seemed genuinely sweet. There was something about her that felt different.

After hours on the phone — the kind of conversation where time disappears — they met in person for the first time. Their first date was on Chanel’s birthday at Jerry’s Seafood. Crab cakes were shared, laughter came easy. What was supposed to be one evening quietly turned into an entire weekend.

By the end of that first night, Chanel looked at Shawntese and confidently said, “You’re mine.” Shawntese thought she was a little crazy. (Respectfully. 😌) But she couldn’t walk away.

Shawntese admits she actually tried to fight the feelings. She looked for reasons why Chanel wasn’t “the one.” But every time she took a step back, she somehow found herself two steps closer. It was just... easy.

Chanel knew she was falling when she felt safe for the first time. With Shawntese, she didn’t have to carry everything alone. She felt supported, looked after... chosen.

Shawntese knew she had found something real during a simple moment. She told Chanel there was something she didn’t want to do again — and without hesitation, Chanel said “Okay.” No pushback. No pressure. Just alignment. That respect and shared value system clicked righ into place. Everything has felt easy since.

The “I love you” came by accident. Twice. Within an hour of each other. Chanel’s slipped first — a full Freudian slip — but Shawntese wasn’t far behind. Apparently, when it’s right, the heart speaks before the brain can stop it.

The proposal was unplanned and perfect. Shawntese had the ring burning a hole in her pocket. She had envisioned a bigger audience, something more staged — but when the plans didn’t come together easily, she leaned into what felt natural. After Thanksgiving dinner, they were in bed watching a Christmas movie. “Santa Baby” started playing. They sang along dramatically. When the lyrics mentioned asking for a ring, Shawntese took it as her cue. She pulled out the ring and proposed. Not because it was grand. But because it was the righ moment.

Their love has been tested and deepened in sacred ways. When Chanel’s mother’s health began to decline, Shawntese was there — fully present. Sitting in the hospital room, supporting Chanel and her brothers. Loving her mother as her own. Chanel’s mom called Shawntese her second daughter.

They hoped she would be able to attend both weddings. As her health worsened, they just wanted her to make it to the first. When she passed two weeks before their civil ceremony, they wondered if they should reschedule. But they both knew she wouldn’t have wanted that.

On February 12th, in Ellicott City, Maryland, surrounded by 20 of their closest family and friends, Chanel and Shawntese were married. It was intimate. Emotional. Joyful. They celebrated afterward in Columbia, Maryland with the people who mean the most to them.
They know Chanel's mom was there. In spirit. In love. In every smile and every tear.

Now, they’re preparing to celebrate again in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in May 2027 — under the sun, with even more of their community gathered around them. And they can't wait to share that moment with you!

A few things to know about them:

- Chanel is the stubborn one.
- Shawntese is dramatic but also the soft one.
- Chanel is the night owl and Shawntese wakes up way too much energy for her.
- Chanel says Shawntese is the kindest person she knows. Attentive. Supportive. Affectionate. Loyal beyond measure.
- Shawntese says Chanel is intuitive — she knows what she needs without a word being spoken. She is beautiful, ambitious, and yes… sexy as hell. And when Chanel grazes her fingertips across the back of Shawntese’s neck… well. Knees get weak.

What they’ve built together is safe. It’s aligned. It’s passionate and comforting.
They make each other better. This is the sweetest love they have ever known.

And this is only the beginning. 🤍

💕 From Swipes to Santa Baby 💕

Some love stories take time.

After ten years on and off the dating app, HER, with no real success, Chanel had just about given up on finding her person online. Meanwhile, after Shawntese's grandmother told her to go “where the people are,” she finally downloaded the app… She met Chanel on her very first day.

Jackpot.

Shawntese still jokes that she found Chanel so quickly because she paid for the premium membership — while Chanel was navigating destiny on a free basic account.

When Shawntese first saw Chanel’s profile, she thought she was cute and sexy — soft with a little edge. But more than that, she seemed genuinely sweet. There was something about her that felt different.

After hours on the phone — the kind of conversation where time disappears — they met in person for the first time. Their first date was on Chanel’s birthday at Jerry’s Seafood. Crab cakes were shared, laughter came easy. What was supposed to be one evening quietly turned into an entire weekend.

By the end of that first night, Chanel looked at Shawntese and confidently said, “You’re mine.” Shawntese thought she was a little crazy. (Respectfully. 😌) But she couldn’t walk away.

Shawntese admits she actually tried to fight the feelings. She looked for reasons why Chanel wasn’t “the one.” But every time she took a step back, she somehow found herself two steps closer. It was just... easy.

Chanel knew she was falling when she felt safe for the first time. With Shawntese, she didn’t have to carry everything alone. She felt supported, looked after... chosen.

Shawntese knew she had found something real during a simple moment. She told Chanel there was something she didn’t want to do again — and without hesitation, Chanel said “Okay.” No pushback. No pressure. Just alignment. That respect and shared value system clicked righ into place. Everything has felt easy since.

The “I love you” came by accident. Twice. Within an hour of each other. Chanel’s slipped first — a full Freudian slip — but Shawntese wasn’t far behind. Apparently, when it’s right, the heart speaks before the brain can stop it.

The proposal was unplanned and perfect. Shawntese had the ring burning a hole in her pocket. She had envisioned a bigger audience, something more staged — but when the plans didn’t come together easily, she leaned into what felt natural. After Thanksgiving dinner, they were in bed watching a Christmas movie. “Santa Baby” started playing. They sang along dramatically. When the lyrics mentioned asking for a ring, Shawntese took it as her cue. She pulled out the ring and proposed. Not because it was grand. But because it was the righ moment.

Their love has been tested and deepened in sacred ways. When Chanel’s mother’s health began to decline, Shawntese was there — fully present. Sitting in the hospital room, supporting Chanel and her brothers. Loving her mother as her own. Chanel’s mom called Shawntese her second daughter.

They hoped she would be able to attend both weddings. As her health worsened, they just wanted her to make it to the first. When she passed two weeks before their civil ceremony, they wondered if they should reschedule. But they both knew she wouldn’t have wanted that.

On February 12th, in Ellicott City, Maryland, surrounded by 20 of their closest family and friends, Chanel and Shawntese were married. It was intimate. Emotional. Joyful. They celebrated afterward in Columbia, Maryland with the people who mean the most to them.
They know Chanel's mom was there. In spirit. In love. In every smile and every tear.

Now, they’re preparing to celebrate again in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in May 2027 — under the sun, with even more of their community gathered around them. And they can't wait to share that moment with you!

A few things to know about them:

- Chanel is the stubborn one.
- Shawntese is dramatic but also the soft one.
- Chanel is the night owl and Shawntese wakes up way too much energy for her.
- Chanel says Shawntese is the kindest person she knows. Attentive. Supportive. Affectionate. Loyal beyond measure.
- Shawntese says Chanel is intuitive — she knows what she needs without a word being spoken. She is beautiful, ambitious, and yes… sexy as hell. And when Chanel grazes her fingertips across the back of Shawntese’s neck… well. Knees get weak.

What they’ve built together is safe. It’s aligned. It’s passionate and comforting.
They make each other better. This is the sweetest love they have ever known.

And this is only the beginning. 🤍