John Rush melted hearts after dropping to one knee and proposing to his girlfriend of two years, Shanae Nicholes, in a field of swaying yellow sunflowers. She said yes. Photos from their romantic engagement quickly went viral.
For the 23-year-old lovebirds from Ohio, their connection was immediate. Not only do both John and Shanae love dancing, the great outdoors, and horse riding, but they both share a common experience: they both have Down syndrome.
The couple met at a local dance group and became “the best of friends,” family members recalled. They even attended prom together.
“Eventually things progressed with them both,” David added, “and John plucked up the courage to ask Shanae to be his girlfriend. Who'd have known two years on they would be engaged to be married?” After two years of dating, it seemed John’s mind was made up; Shanae was the girl for him.
Megan, who has known John for years, was delighted by the opportunity to share John and Shanae’s pictures on her Facebook page. Having witnessed numerous negative preconceptions about her best friend and his quality of life over the years, Megan explained that she hoped sharing their engagement photos would inspire people all over the world to believe that love conquers all.
“The whole time we’ve been friends, I prayed that he would be able to find love,” she added, “especially after hearing how awful people were to him and how so many people constantly doubted him. It makes my heart sing that he found the love of his life.”
Megan expressed excitement for the imminent wedding that will cement John and Shanae’s relationship, once and for all, in front of their loved ones.
Describing the young couple as “basically attached at the hip” nowadays, John’s father, David, revealed that John and Shanae’s bond is so strong that they often coordinate their clothing as well as their hobbies. And it’s not just one another they make blissfully happy; the young couple imbues their families’ lives with a huge amount of love in turn.
“These two amazing people have been a blessing in our lives,” said David, who has himself been married to his wife, Dawn, for 18 years. “I hope their love story reaches other parents with children that have special needs, for them to know that love is out there for everyone, and to never give up hope.”
David’s advice to other parents of children with Down syndrome is simple: don’t worry too much about your child finding love. “Love always finds a way,” David reflected, “and I’m so glad it found its way to John and Shanae.”
