Gabriel Sheffield, 25, lives in Manasas Park, VA, and is system engineer for Lockheed Martin. He lives with his fiance, Jasmine, 25, and they've been together for a year and a half. The loving couple just recently moved in together. They both work at Lockheed but in different divisions, and met at an employee happy hour.

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Gabriel Sheffield, Fiance of Jasmine Harris
I can't wait until I marry Jasmine, sometimes I jump the gun and call her my wife when I introduce her to someone. My parents have been happily married for 32 yrs, they have instilled in me the true meaning of the word love and exemplify the scripture Matthew 19:6 which says, "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
When I met Jasmine's family it was like I already knew them, and it's just amazing how our families meshed together as if we were all related. I want to take this time to thank ESSENCE for allowing me to propose to Jasmine in front of the world and featuring me in their magazine. This has been an unforgettable experience that I'll definitely someday have to tell Gabriel Jr.!

Jasmine Harris, Fiancee of Gabriel Sheffield
Our actual wedding date is still up in the air, May seems like such a lovely time to get married, but we could possibly have to choose another month. The most difficult part of choosing a wedding date is ensuring that everyone involved, especially our parents, will not have any major conflicts. I'm thinking it would almost be easier to put a calendar on the wall and play darts to select the date. I'm sure we will get it worked out soon, hopefully before the contest is over so everyone can know when the big day will be!

Weekly Blog from our Couples
Gabriel Sheffield, fiance of Jasmine Harris

I have mostly received relationship advice from men that have been married for many years, most jokingly say not to do it! Then they say that it is honestly a blessing and of course there will be bad days, but overall it’s a great journey.
Jasmine has convinced me to sit through some of the wedding shows with her, and they have been interesting, I have seen some details that I would like to include in our wedding. We've discussed what I will be contributing, fortunately, I only have to worry about the men and their attire. So far I haven’t decided whether we should wear the traditional tuxedos or the non-traditional suits…any suggestions?

Jasmine Harris, fiancee of Gabriel
I have been told that while planning for the wedding ideas will change many times, I didn't think I'd experience it this soon. We had selected the date of May 14, 2011, even took the time to research the significance of the date and the symbolism of the number 14. Just recently we realized that the date will have to change because Gabe will be walking across the stage to receive his Master’s degree that weekend. The one thing that is pretty solid is the location, Baton Rouge, our families are both from the south, and my family is from Louisiana, stay tuned, the way things are going this too could change next week! Fortunately we have had plenty of volunteers to chip in ideas and thoughts, my mom has been a great help and will mastermind most of the event. I have always loved watching wedding shows on WEtv, now I watch and take notes, hopefully the bits and pieces will all come together eventually. TheKnot.com is also a helpful website, it offers a monthly to-do list, and I’m actually behind. Although there have been many changes and very little detail, I’m enjoying every bit of it!

Short Q&A With The Guys Before The Proposal:

Gabriel Sheffield, Fiance of Jasmine Harris

ESSENCE.com: When did you first see Jasmine?
SHEFFILED: I first met her at a happy hour at Damines in Virginia. I had a friend from Alabama who was having a birthday party. She came up to me and at that moment I knew that I had to stay in touch with her because her personality was crazy, it was through the roof. We hit it off that same day. From that day forward I made her my woman.

ESSENCE.com: How did you know she was the one?
SHEFFILED: She is very adventurous and a spiritual person, that's what I love about her. She convinces me to get out of my box.

ESSENCE.com: Why do you want to get married?
SHEFFILED: I feel that God made a woman for every man. And for every man there is a woman.

ESSENCE.com: Why did you want to ask in ESSENCE?
SHEFFILED: I wanted the world to see it, so I figured this is the way to do it. I want the world to see how much love I have for this woman

ESSENCE.com: What's the first thing that came to your mind when you found out you were a finalist?
SHEFFILED: I was excited, I thought I was dreaming. I still feel like I am dreaming. I just feel like this is a moment and you only get these moments every now and then, you have to take full advantage of them. I am loving that.

Jasmine Harris, fiance of Gabriel
I still feel like I'm on Cloud 9. Each time I tell someone about the proposal and the contest, I am filled with joy. The support that we have received from friends, family and the ESSENCE readers is very humbling.
I am so happy to be the future Mrs. Sheffield; I can hardly wait until that day I walk down the aisle. My friends and I have started talking about what that magic day will be like. Much like my proposal, I've never dreamed of my wedding day but I am very excited about all the planning.

Gabriel Sheffield, fiancee of Jasmine
Being engaged is a wonderful thing, knowing that next year Jasmine will be the woman that God has chosen for me to cherish and love for as long as I live. I always vowed to myself to give my woman the world. The proposal was an excellent way to start it off, because now the world can see how much I love Jasmine and the heights that I will go to ensure she gets exactly what she deserves.
Friends and men in my family are telling me that I have definitely raised the bar.

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