Just Engaged: Have Faith In Love

The Lucky Lady: Jennifer Richardson, 32, Owner of RecessionistasCloset.com

Her Leading Man: Shawn Spears, 42, Entrepreneur

The Big Day: July 20, 2014

Wedding Location: Atlanta, GA

Where and how did you meet your man?
We initially met through a Christian organization. We started out emailing and having extensive phone conversations to get to know each other before having our first date. 

Were you looking for love at the time?
At the beginning of 2013 the Lord told me that I would meet my husband that year. He told me to write a list of the qualities that I wanted in a husband and to just trust Him. So I wasn’t looking, but I was waiting on love to find me.

What was your first impression of him?
I was very impressed with his passion for Christ and his transparency. By the end of the first week of knowing each other, I felt as if I knew his whole life story. I admired his courage to tell me the truth about his past.

What do you do for fun together?
We are both foodies, so we are definitely at someone’s restaurant on any given Saturday. We go to the movies and concerts and we love Sweet Georgia Juke Joint – the best combination of good food and live music. 

Best vacation yet?
Our first vacation will be our honeymoon. Since we are in an abstinent relationship, we believe in setting boundaries and one of those boundaries are no romantic getaways until we are married.

Sweetest thing he has ever done for you?
I was in a car accident last September and I totaled my car. He canceled all of his meetings and was with me the entire day. He insisted on taking me to the hospital to get checked out even though I told him nothing was broken. He also made sure that I had a rental car and everything that I needed. I knew from that day that he would take good care of me for the rest of my life. I have so much security in Shawn.

How long did you date before you got engaged?
We courted for a little over six months before he proposed. What I’ve learned is that a man of vision does not have to take several years to propose.

How did he pop the question?
He told me that he was taking me to an event that one of his clients was having. We arrive at Aria restaurant and Shawn starts talking to the hostess. Meanwhile I was looking around the restaurant trying to figure out where the event was because all I saw were people at tables having dinner. The hostess escorted us down a dark stairwell. I still had no clue what was about to happen. We entered into a wine cellar. There were candles lit everywhere. I walked in and saw my best friend of 20 years and her husband sitting at the table and another friend holding a camera. That is when I knew it was about to go down! Jamie Foxx’s song “The Day I Married My Angel” was playing in the background. Shawn got down on one knee and uttered the words that I’ve been dreaming about my entire life: “Will you marry me.”

Photos: Asa Pressley Photography