Love & Marriage feature
Collin M. Smith Photography
SHANNON & JON
McGurn
T
The year Shannon McGurn met her husband, she also formed a special friend-
Jon asked Shannon out the next night. She happily accepted, and the date went very
ship with Ashley Mabes. “Having several times been confused one for the other, we
well. “As things began to get more serious, I felt it only fair to share my commitment
I decided to meet on a whim.” The girls not only looked alike, but they shared common
to abstain until marriage. As I explained to him, I had made that decision for one sim-
interests and quickly became best friends.
ple reason—my relationship with Jesus. I saw it as His protection and grace. Through
In 2014, Jon was working for LABSCO with Ashley’s husband, JC. His territory includ-
ed the Carolinas, and Jon traveled to Florence in June to work with JC. “Although he
Shannon continues, “To this day, his vulnerability continues to soften my hardness.
true story is I had gone to vote that morning in the primary runoff. I was almost home
He also has a wonderful sense of humor. When things were hard and we faced great
when I saw JC’s car cross into my lane — head-on! At the last minute, JC returned to his
decisions, I never wanted to run. For the first time, I wanted to tackle those decisions
lane, and I turned onto my street. As I got out of the car, JC pulled into my driveway. In
head on and compromise. I felt free to be me.”
I’m pretty sure my jaw remained on the ground even after JC pulled away.”
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to protect my purity. I knew if he chose me to be his wife, I’d be blessed.”
likes to tell everyone we met at a gas station after I commented on his good looks, the
the passenger seat, Jon was decked out with gelled hair, Ray-Ban aviators, and a suit.
tears, when I finished, Jon shared his immense respect, appreciation for, and promise
The week before Christmas 2014, Jon made a fake email account (he said belonged
to his uncle). His “uncle” asked Jon to go by the Horseshoe in Columbia to photograph
Later that evening, Shannon went to Ashley and JC’s for dinner. “Jon excused
a commemorative brick. He knew Shannon was suspicious. When they arrived, Shan-
himself to call his grandmother who had recently experienced declining health. He
non set her sights upon finding the ring. “I was determined to find the hidden brick
returned, apologizing for his absence, and there was such an obvious sense of famil-
first… competitive would be an understatement! As I became frustrated and turned
ial ties, vulnerability, and compassion in how he spoke of her and their relationship.
around to tell him to call his uncle for more details, he was on one knee. Meanwhile, my
I texted my mom after dinner that I’d met my husband.”
friends awaited our arrival in Florence for an engagement party.”
FEBRUARY 2016
SHEMAGAZINE.COM