It all started when…

Derek and I had a whirlwind romance! I met him October 6th. I was invited by a mutual acquaintance to watch a Green Bay Packers v. Dallas Cowboys football game (GO PACK GO!) in someone's garage and Derek was there. I didn't know any of the people there that well and Derek started up a conversation with me. Anyone that knows Derek knows he doesn't know a stranger! He could start a conversation with anyone! But he started talking to me and it was small talk at first, but then he was asking me questions about me and genuinely trying to get to know me. He had sent me a friend request on facebook a couple weeks before that and from there we just kept talking. On October 15th we started hanging out and it was pretty obvious that we weren't going to spend much time apart from that point on.

LOVE STORY

12-12-2020 Shaina Slentz & Derek Lane Tina Cooper Photography @tinacooperphototx3.jpg

But he started talking to me and it was small talk at first, but then he was asking me questions about me and genuinely trying to get to know me. He had sent me a friend request on facebook a couple weeks before that and from there we just kept talking. On October 15th we started hanging out and it was pretty obvious that we weren't going to spend much time apart from that point on. Time means nothing. I have had 4 and 5 year long relationships that were never going to blossom into what I have with Derek. We were together 7 months when we got engaged and I do not for one second question my decision to say absolutely YES!

THE PROPOSAL

OH MY GOSH! June 6, 2020. Derek owns a plant nursery and after dinner with his business partner and his wife at Double Nickel one night he kept saying we need to go to the nursery to make sure the guys are watering like they're supposed to. I thought it was so weird because we never do that in the evenings. He usually checks that before he leaves work for the day. But after dinner we went to the nursery and when we got out of the truck he walked through a few of the plants and checked how damp the soil was. He said come look at our roses, I laughed and said Derek, I've seen the roses here. But I walked over there and he had a beautiful set up of. There were 2 rows of red double knockout roses with yellow lantanas on each end. The ring was tied with ribbon to one of the rose bushes in the middle. The ring is especially significant because it is an heirloom. It belonged to Derek's grandmother on his dad's side, who is no longer with us. For someone to think I am worth giving something that sentimental to is an amazing feeling. To top it off, he contacted my friend Tabitha from high school that has been doing our family's pictures for years! She hid behind wall in a section of trees and got pictures of the whole proposal!

What moment are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?

12-12-2020 Shaina Slentz & Derek Lane Tina Cooper Photography @tinacooperphototx1.jpg

Aside from actually marrying Derek, I am just praying that Derek and I are able to get married with my dad there. My dad has had some pretty serious health problems for the last 6 months and there have been a few times where we felt like my dad would no longer be with us. I also can't wait to see Derek's face when my dad and I turn that corner and he sees me for the first time.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TWIN LAKES?

12-12-2020 Shaina Slentz & Derek Lane Tina Cooper Photography @tinacooperphototx.jpg

Jane! Absolutely one of the main reason we chose this venue. She is beyond amazing! But Twin Lakes is such a unique, fun, warm and inviting place!

ADVICE FOR FUTURE COUPLES

Derek and I planned our wedding along with our families during a world wide pandemic. It was an interesting, scary world of unknowns. But COMMUNICATION is absolutely key. Hearing one another out completely and making your wishes and concerns known from the beginning.