LaShawn and Cedric’s relationship started on a friendly note, but it was only a matter of time before sparks began to fly and they became lovers. Now the happy couple are ready to exchange vows in an elegance-meets-tropical themed wedding this October. Let’s celebrate their love!
Cedric said what made him fall in love with LaShawn was their solid friendship bond and how much she impressed him even before becoming his girlfriend. “Shawn was an amazing friend and she showed me more love through our friendship than I had been exposed to in full-blown relationships,” says Cedric. “She’s an amazing person with a warm personality, and that coupled with the fact that her feelings for me were exceptional made her pretty easy to fall in love with.”
Cedric’s romantic proposal included taking LaShawn to their favorite rooftop terrace, having her read a romantic poem he wrote especially for her and presenting her with a slideshow of photos featuring some of the most memorable moments throughout their 4-year relationship.
LaShawn says she was blown away by all the thoughtful gestures in Cedric’s proposal. “Each picture had a special caption, but after the 18th picture, the slideshow told me to ‘stand up,'” she shared. “The next and final picture popped up with the caption, ‘Will You Marry Me.’ At that time, he got down on one knee and so sweetly asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.”
What was really going through LaShawn’s mind when Cedric popped the question? “OMG,” she recalls. “Is this really happening? I was in utter shock. I couldn’t believe the day I’d hoped for was finally here.”
Who wouldn’t be nervous about proposing to the woman of their dreams? Cedric says he sure was. “Proposals are the things fairytales are made of and some women have been dreaming about this moment for their entire life.”I thought I put together a pretty solid plan so it was just about the execution.”
“I had absolutely no idea he was going to propose,” says LaShawn. “So, when it happened, I was just in complete shock. We have always discussed getting married, but I assumed it would be further down the line.”
LaShawn had no doubt that Cedric was always the one for her. “He is the best man for me, because he compliments me in every way,” she shares. “He has been truly supportive and dependable throughout our entire relationship and pushes me to be my best self, so I know there is no one else for me.”
LaShawn is just bursting with excitement as her wedding day approaches. “The best gift he has ever given me was asking me to marry him,” she shares. “When we’re finally husband and wife, I can’t wait to actually call Cedric ‘my husband’ and start our family. I also think Shine is a great last name, so I can’t wait to be addressed as such.”
Cedric didn’t get any help when it came to picking out Lashawn’s engagement ring, but he knew exactly what to get his leading lady. “Funny thing is, I went into a jeweler just to browse and get my actual ring size and found my perfect ring,” says Lashawn. “Little did I know, Cedric had already been to that same jeweler and already picked out the same ring. I sent him a picture as soon as I left the jeweler showing him the ring that I just found, and as you can imagine, he was laughing inside since it was already purchased. I guess he really does know me!”
The happy couple may be getting married this fall, but LaShawn knew from the moment she met Cedric that he was going to be her husband one day. “I remember telling my sorority sisters back in 2008 when Ced and I were just friends that I can see myself marrying him,” she shares. “They all thought I was crazy, but I knew that he possessed the qualities that I was looking for in a life partner. He was someone that I could truly be myself with and I appreciated that.”
LaShawn can’t wait to be Mrs. Shine and she hopes to model her marriage after her grandparents’ relationship. “I am looking forward to growing with Cedric in each and every way,” says the bride-to-be. “My grandparents were married for 50 years and I always aspired to one day experience that. I look forward to spending the rest of my days loving, learning and being the best wife and mother I can be.”
The soon-to-be newlywed couple chose a “Black Excellence” themed destination wedding in the Dominican Republic and they’ll embrace the tropical theme of the country. “We plan to embody what we feel is Black elegance, class, distinction and power while taping into our history as a people,” says LaShawn. “Our colors are African Violet, Fuchsia and Teal which will give our ceremony a tropical feel.” The couple will then head off to Greece for a romantic honeymoon. Want to see your engagement photos featured in Just Engaged? Email us now!
