SAY HELLO AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SYLVIE BRIDE, OLIVIA & HER NOW HUSBAND, SHAWN!
STORY
My name is Olivia Ready, and I am a special education teacher in Wilmington, North Carolina. My husband’s name is Shawn, and we have a 2 year old dog, a Newfoundland-poodle cross, named boo. We also have a 19 year old horse, an Oldenburg, named Frisco. We started dating December 1, 2015, got engaged December 23, 2018, and got married on December 7, 2019. There is nothing we love more than adventuring around the world together – from New Orleans, to the Exumas, to Costa Rica, and more. We are traveling to Ireland this summer and we can’t wait! We enjoy spending time with our families and friends, cheering on LSU, NC STATE, and UNCW, fishing, going to Ocean Isle Beach, eating LOTS of good food, and discovering new breweries together.
HOW THEY MET
We met towards the end of my student teaching internship in Wilmington, North Carolina.
HOW DID YOU KNOW THEY WERE THE ONE?
My husband, then boyfriend, and I were about to celebrate our one-year anniversary. At that time, we were long distance (Raleigh to Wilmington). I drove down to Wilmington for the weekend, excited about this huge milestone in both of our lives. When i walked in the door, I could tell he had planned something. I put my things down and continued to the kitchen, where I saw a basket on the kitchen table, new plates, pictures of us, a candle and our initials – S + O. he whispered “Happy anniversary” and let me explore. Inside the basket were all of my favorite things – sweet tea, chick-fil-a bbq sauce (The goods), lemon chapstick, lavender scented socks, breakfast tea, and more. He also wrote a card explaining all of his favorite things about me, and cooked me dinner. It was the first time anyone had ever put so much thought and effort into choosing a gift for me. I felt loved, appreciated, supported, and so much more. He showed me that he knew me better than I know myself that night, and I knew he was the one. He still surprises me to this day!
HOW DID THEY PROPOSE?
On December 23, 2018, we were set to celebrate Christmas in our first home together. I had a little too much fun decorating as Christmas is, without a doubt, my most loved holiday/time of year. We had the tree, the stockings, the wreath, the pine-scented candles, everything. I was already in a giddy state of mind. We started with our stockings and moved to opening gifts. We exchanged gifts back and forth, starting with “little” and ending with “big.” He opened his last gift from me – shout out to Yeti for making the BEST coolers – and said that he needed to go to his office to get mine. He asked me to close my eyes and he set a HUGE box in front of me. He directed me to open my eyes and begin unwrapping. I opened the first box and found a box with a card on the top. It said “Beeb” – a nickname for me from him – “I love you with my heart and soul.” I unwrapped that box and found another box with a card on top. This one said “Ms. Wilson” and “…together may we grow old.” I had a feeling something was up, but continued. I unwrapped the third box and saw a third card, saying “my love” and “With you I’d be honored to spend my life.” Cue the waterworks, y’all. Finally, I opened that box and found a card inside. It said “Olivia Faith Wilson” and “Will you be my wife?” I looked up at Shawn, saw him get on one knee, and pull out the box with my ring in it. He asked me for my hand in marriage. After about 5 minutes of hyperventilating, mixed with “oh my gosh” and “Is this really happening?”, I was able to pull myself together and say “YES!!!!!!” It was just us and our dog, private and emotional. To this day, I can still remember every little detail. Merry #RingMas, Indeed! 🙂
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE A SYLVIE RING?
I like to say that the Sylvie ring chose me. It was the only ring I knew I could see myself wearing forever.
WHICH SYLVIE RING DID YOU CHOOSE?
I chose the Grace, double halo engagement ring for its uniqueness and beauty. When I went looking for rings with my best friend, I saw it shimmering through the display case and knew it was the one. I still find myself looking at it daily. It is the most precious thing I will ever own.
WHERE DID YOU BUY THE RING?
My husband bought my engagement ring from diamonds direct in Raleigh, NC. He bought the matching wedding band from Perry’s emporium in Wilmington, NC.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR RING?
My ring is special in many ways – I added sapphires around the diamond in tribute to my late English grandmother who passed away. My husband picked out the center diamond that is jaw-dropping. The design of the ring is whimsical and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It is perfect for me!
AS A SYLVIE BRIDE, YOU SAY YES TO LOVE AND TO MANY OTHER THINGS! WHAT ARE THEY?
I say yes to animals – all types – but especially doggos and horses! I say yes to adventure, love, friendship. I say yes to self-care, binge watching TV shows, and a glass of moscato. I say yes to empathy, forgiveness, and good humor. I say yes to blackberries and all things lemon. Most importantly, I say yes to kindness!
AS THE GROOM, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR YES GIRL?
I love Olivia’s natural selflessness and caring empathy for every living thing. She is generous and thoughtful, and always puts people and creatures before herself. I have never had anyone treat me like that before. She makes me feel very special.
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