There are some love stories that begin with a grand, sweeping moment… and then there are the ones that quietly unfold in the middle of an ordinary day—only to become something extraordinary.

Lexi and Shane’s story started in 2018 on their very first day at the University of Alabama. After a campus event, they found themselves walking back toward their dorms, just two people crossing paths in a brand-new season of life. Somewhere along that walk, something clicked—enough for Shane to ask Lexi for her number.

Neither of them could have fully known it then, but that simple moment was the beginning of everything.

From a First Date to Forever

Their first date happened just an hour later.

A spontaneous text. A casual invitation to go bowling. What could have been just a fun way to pass the time turned into hours of walking around campus, talking, laughing, and getting to know each other. It was effortless—the kind of start that doesn’t need overthinking because it already feels right.

And in many ways, that feeling never left.

When asked when she knew Shane was “her person,” Lexi doesn’t point to a single defining moment. Instead, she says it simply: she feels like she’s always known.

For Shane, it became clear when Lexi was willing to step into the unknown with him—choosing to move and adapt as he pursued his dream of becoming a football coach.

A Love That Was Strengthened by Distance

Their journey hasn’t been without challenges.

They spent two and a half years in long distance, including a stretch of 14 weeks without seeing each other at all. There were missed calls, hard days, and moments that required deep trust.

But instead of pulling them apart, it strengthened what they had already begun building—something rooted in faith, resilience, and choosing each other again and again.

A Thoughtful Proposal by the Lake

Lexi thought the day was planned around family photos.

They got dressed up, met a childhood best friend for brunch, and headed toward the lakefront by the Milwaukee Museum. It felt like a normal, joyful day—until it wasn’t.

Standing near a sculpture that spelled out “love,” Shane suggested they take a picture. Afterward, he casually asked Lexi if she saw the photographer nearby. As she turned to look, he dropped to one knee.

Everything shifted in an instant.

Lexi describes the moment as something that didn’t even feel real—like she blacked out from the shock and excitement of it all. Meanwhile, Shane stood there, hoping he had managed to keep it a complete surprise.

Based on her response—“Really? Right now? Shut up! Of course!”—it’s safe to say he did.

It was freezing. The wind was relentless. And Lexi couldn’t stop laughing in disbelief.

And somehow… that made it even more perfect.

Their Engagement Session in Nashville, Tennessee

This season of their story brought them to Nashville for their engagement session—and it meant so much that they made the trip.

Lexi and Shane drove over three hours from Alabama to have their engagement portraits taken, which says everything about how much they value this season and these memories.

After I shared my engagement session location guide with them, they chose Percy Warner Park in Nashville, TN—and it truly couldn’t have been a more perfect fit.

Spring Blooms and Golden Light at Percy Warner Park

Their session took place in the spring, when Percy Warner Park is at its absolute best.

The trees were full, flowers were beginning to bloom, and everything felt soft, fresh, and full of life. The weather was perfect—one of those evenings where you can slow down, breathe deep, and just enjoy being outside.

We wandered through open fields, tree-lined paths, and pockets of light that felt like they were made just for them.

But more than anything, what made this session so special wasn’t just the location—it was them.

A Couple That Feels Like Home

Shane says that no matter where life takes them, Lexi always feels like home.

And Lexi admires his determination and faith—the way he shows up every single day to chase his dream.

They’re fun. Silly. Easy to be around.

But underneath that joy is something deeper—a couple who has walked through hard seasons and come out stronger because of it.

Stepping Into the Next Chapter

What excites them most about marriage isn’t just the wedding day.

It’s the promise behind it.

Choosing each other not only in front of family and friends—but before God.

This engagement season has been filled with laughter, connection, and moments that feel like glimpses into the life they’re building together.

And their wedding day?

It will simply be a celebration of what’s already so deeply rooted.

Because at the end of it all, that’s what this story has always been about.

Not perfection.
Not performance.
But two people who met in an ordinary moment… and chose to build something extraordinary together.