Published: June 28, 2007 12:00 pm         

Unexpected romance takes Shana Rae by surprise

Shana Rae Thompson will never forget the moment she first laid eyes on Jacob Taylor, a teenager from small town Adel who would eventually win her heart, becoming the man of her dreams, her one true love. It was roughly five years ago at a Christmas parade.

“His sister casually introduced us, and we made plans for dinner that same evening,” the Norman Park native and Colquitt County High School Class of 1998 graduate shared. “I knew that he was younger than me (by a couple of years), but I didn’t make a big deal out it. It wasn’t like I was going to marry him or anything.”

A student at Valdosta State University working on a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science, Shana continued to date Jacob, falling in love with his good looks and southern charm before she even realized what was happening. He asked her to marry him, but she declined, chalking it up to bad timing.







“I wanted us both to be 100 percent sure that we were making the right decision,” she explained.

Shana graduated from Valdosta State University in 2003, working in the medical field as a sales and marketing representative and continuing to nurture and develop her relationship with Jacob. With his support and encouragement, she went on to earn the title of Miss Georgia International 2005.

On July 30, 2005, while in Chicago, Illinois, for the Miss International Pageant, Jacob proposed to Shana a second time. This time she told him what he had dreamed of hearing for quite some time.

“After the pageant was over, I went to my room and changed into PJs,” she said. “Jacob asked me to marry him, he in suit and tie, me in pajamas. I agreed to marry Jacob because he is my best friend. Jacob’s love for me is very unconditional. I have never taken for granted that he was willing to wait until the time was right for both of us and ask me again. A wise person once told me that it is important to love the person you marry, but it is even more important to like them. I think that we both have a genuine like for each other.”

Shana and Jacob exchanged vows in an outdoor ceremony on Saturday, January 6, 2007, at Gin Creek in Moultrie. Following a honeymoon at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Orlando, Florida, the couple plans to make their home in Adel, at least for the time being.





“Other than day to day life, Jacob and I hope to one day have a family and raise our children in a Christian home, just as we both have been blessed with,” she added.

Twenty-four-year-old Jacob, who attends Valdosta State University as a Biology major, plans to apply to dental school at the end of the year. Shana works as the administrator for United Hospice of Valdosta.