Shaun & Adrienne:

It all started with . . . Breanne?!?

Really though, it did. Shaun and Adrienne had seen each other around for a couple of years and have several close friends in common, but never connected until Shaun attended an ice cream party Adrienne hosted to celebrate Breanne being in town. Adrienne had no idea that Breanne had been telling Shaun for over a year that he needed to meet her, but Shaun isn't someone who likes to be told what he should and shouldn't do! Plus, when you've never dated a single mom, the idea can be a little overwhelming. So he was cautious about the idea but curious (unbeknownst to Adrienne, who had admittedly mentioned to Breanne that she thought he was cute).

There was no love-at-first-sight moment that night. We all had a fun evening playing games, laughing, and talking. Shaun got extra points for bringing food to contribute to the ice cream toppings. The next week or two a few messages were sent back and forth, but it wasn't until Shaun asked to stop by and chat that we really got to know each other. We talked for HOURS and were pleasantly surprised at how similar our outlooks were on life, dating, annoyances, and more.

Within a few days of that late-night chat we had our first date - seeing a play at the Hale in Sandy with Shaun's siblings, Chad and Courtney. After that night, we never looked back. Though neither of us were sure where our relationship would go, being together was and is the most natural thing in the world. We are very different people and have had difficult challenges (not with each other, but with the real life that happens all around us) during our time dating, but through it all we've never broken up, never taken a break, never had an argument where we wondered if we'd get through to the other side. We've both seen enough loneliness and life and pain that the things that actually matter enough to us to get upset about are few and far between.

Even better? Adrienne's isn't the only heart Shaun won over, and vice versa. We feel SO blessed to be able to start this blended family journey with all four of us excited about our new adventure.


Michael:

My name is Michael Wooten, I am Adrienne's son and oldest child. I feel super happy about Adrienne and Shaun getting married! I can see that Shaun makes her super happy and me and Ellie really like him! He’s super funny and smart. I remember going to see a movie with the both of them when they first met. Shaun let us ride home with him and it was really fun, I decided then that I was a fan!

One thing that has changed since they got together is that we have been having a LOT more food from Trader Joes, which honestly I think is a great thing. I definitely enjoy the food we eat when Shaun is around.

I’m super excited for Shaun and Adrienne to get married! I know it may be an adjustment at first (Shaun says it will be) but it’s going to be great. Honestly Shaun and Adrienne are 2 of the best people to enter my life, they've kept me on track and I wouldn't be who I am today without them. Love them so much you can't imagine.


Ellie (by Adrienne):

Okay, so . . . here's the thing about Ellie. Ellie is almost 12 and like many preteens has very strong opinions about almost everything.

Ellie adores Shaun - AND - hates compliments. I don't get it either - I myself LOVE compliments, but Ellie is convinced that it's patronizing. She wrote a really cute contribution to the site, then freaked out when she realized people would be able to read it and *gasp* compliment her about it at the reception.

In lieu of her words, I can tell you that:

- When Shaun and I first started dating, Ellie proudly announced to her entire fourth grade class that her mom "kissed a boy".

- We have a video of the day I told Ellie that she could call Shaun my boyfriend - jumping and squeals and complete excitement on her end.

- Ellie claims that SHE was happier about Shaun proposing than I was.

It's safe to say she's happy about this whole thing. If she looks cranky when you see her at the reception, maybe someone complimented her. Tread lightly.