Storybook Wedding: David and Shannon

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When David Winston spotted Shannon Paige he was happy he had agreed to his first blind date. As a divorcée, Shannon was excited to discover that love was better the second time around.

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Ready to marry Shannon and grow their family, David wrote to ESSENCE to enter the Storybook Wedding contest. He was selected as one of six finalists from more than 200 letters.

3 of 10 Photography by Diana Zalucky

The Memphis couple walked along a lakeside path at Disney’s Epcot and danced to a strolling violinist who played “When You Wish Upon a Star.” David admits Shannon is the better dancer.

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David brought Shannon’s fantasy to life by dropping to one knee and asking her to become his wife. “I never thought in a million years I would be this happy,” she says. “I want to thank God because I prayed for this wonderful man.”

5 of 10 Photography by Diana Zalucky

After growing up in Los Angeles, David always wanted to marry a southern woman with charm, like his mother. He found that in Shannon. “She has a tender heart and an innocent view of the world,” David says.

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David and Shannon were set up by her best friend. It was David’s first blind date and he was pretty nervous as he sat in the car. When he spotted Shannon in his rearview mirror, he knew he had made the right decision.

7 of 10 Photography by Diana Zalucky

The happy couple toast to their new life together and reflect on the good times they’ve already shared. “My favorite memory of us was last Labor Day,” Shannon says. “I hosted a cookout where David told me he loved me and asked me to be his girlfriend. I felt like I was a girl in high school. Of course i said ‘yes.’”

8 of 10 Photography by Diana Zalucky

The IllumiNations fireworks show at Epcot is the perfect ending to their magical proposal.

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Why they want your vote: “Shannon is the woman I had been searching for over the last decade,” David says. “Our time to celebrate is now; our desire to start a family is eminent. Will you help?”

10 of 10 Photography by Diana Zalucky

See more of David and Shannon’s story and their Disney World engagement in the June issue of ESSENCE.