A ‘joined at the hip’ couple who both have Down syndrome have melted hearts after their engagement shoot went viral.
John Rush proposed to his girlfriend Shanae Nicholes, both 23 and from Ohio, in a sunflower field after two years of dating.
The moment that the young couple, who met at a local dance group, became engaged has now received 17,000 shares online after it was captured on camera.
John’s father David Brown, 39, said: ‘I think their engagement is amazing – the whole family is over the moon for them both.
John Rush and Shanae Nicholes, both 23 and from Ohio, have gone viral on social media after pictures of their engagement racked up 17,000 shares online
The young couple had been dating for two years before John decided to propose to Shanae this month
John (left) and Shanae (right) met at a local dance group two years ago and are said to be ‘attached at the hip’
‘We were overwhelmed when the post gained so much attention; people have been saying the nicest things online.
‘It’s great that John and Shanae’s love is being shared across the globe. It’s given us the platform to show that love finds everyone in some way.
‘John and Shanae met through their mutual love of dance, and attended the same dance group.
‘They clicked instantly and became the best of friends and even went to prom together.
‘Eventually things progressed with them both 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.’
Shanae (pictured) and John both love dancing, playing outside and horse riding together
John had previously asked Shanae to be his girlfriend and their relationship has continued to blossom ever since
John’s father David Brown, 39, said the couple ‘are basically attached at the hip and they even match their shirts 99 per cent of the time’
The young couple are hoping to tie the knot in May 2020 surrounded by their family and friends.
David added: ‘Both John and Shanae are basically attached at the hip, and they even match their shirts 99 per cent of the time.
‘They love dance, playing outside and horse riding together. John has always been a very active person – he loves weight lifting, martial arts and things like that.
‘These two amazing people have been a blessing in our lives, and I hope their love story reaches other parents with children that have special needs, and for them to know that love is out there for everyone and to never give up hope.’
David, who’s been married to wife, Dawn, 43, for 18 years is overjoyed John has found love for himself.
He added: ‘Any advice I’d give to other parents is to be patient and not to worry too much about their child finding love.
‘Love always finds a way – and I’m so glad it found it’s way to John and Shanae.’
Long-time best friend of John’s and photographer Megan Van Dam, 23, who took the photos and shared the images online was over the moon when the couple’s engagement went viral.
John’s friend and photographer Megan Van Dam, 23, who took the photos, decided to share the pictures online
Little did she know the heartwarming pictures would go go viral and receive the response it did
John father David said the whole family was over the moon for ‘these two amazing people’ and now hopes their love story reaches other parents with children that have special needs
The proud father added: ‘Any advice I’d give to other parents is to be patient and not to worry too much about their child finding love. Love always finds a way’
She said: ‘It’s crazy that the post on my photography page went so big – my notifications were blowing up.
‘This was only my second ever shoot that I’ve done so I was on cloud nine when it gained so much attention.
‘Johnny has been my best friend since I could remember – he’s practically a brother to me.
‘The whole time we’ve been friends, I prayed that he would be able to find love, 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.
‘I love the both of them and I can’t wait for them to have the special day they’ve been waiting for.’
John and Shanae’s family are now eagerly awaiting the couple’s upcoming nuptials in 2020