Groom: Sheldon L. Boyea, 35, Sr. Brand Manager at MillerCoors
Married On: November 4, 2011
Wedding Location: The Crane Residential Resort, St. Philips, Barbados
Wedding Theme: Formal, Carnival-themed
Taking It Slow
Southern belle Erica met her future husband rather unexpectedly. She thought she was going out for a ladies night out on the town with her girls in Dallas but one of them brought along a cutie named Sheldon, who had just moved there from Chicago and wanted to make some new friends. Erica immediately noticed how attractive Sheldon was, but wasn’t sure he was her type. “There were other single women at the table, but he singled me out,” she says. “He started the conversation by pointing at my finger and asking why I was single.” After chit-chatting about who was the better cook and other casual things, Erica figured it couldn’t hurt to give Sheldon her number. A few days later Sheldon sent her a text message asking her out on a date. Being a true southern lady who enjoyed being wooed, she turned him down and told him she was unavailable. Sheldon refused to be discouraged the pair became good friends instead.
The Next Chapter
“Sheldon became the man that God uniquely designed for me,” says Erica. “After eight months of being friends, Sheldon moved back to Chicago but first asked me to commit to taking the next step by agreeing to an exclusive long distance relationship.” They committed to seeing each other at least twice a month. Fifteen months later Sheldon popped the question in a very memorable fashion. First he shut down the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas and hired secret photographers to snap Erica’s picture as she arrived. As she entered the property, members of the Southern Methodist University’s orchestra serenaded her with beautiful song. “I walked through the garden to find Sheldon on bended knee in the center of rose petals designed to make a heart,” says Erica. “There was a violinist playing in the background. I tried not to cry the ugly tears because I saw photographer, but after witnessing him cry, I had to let go and cry too.” Nine months later, they were standing face to face at the altar on a romantic cliffside in Barbados before their family and closest friends. Share their love!
Photos: Addison Cumberbatch