Below Deck Mediterranean star Captain Sandy Yawn and her girlfriend Leah Shafer are now engaged to be married. The couple first met via social media and began their relationship towards the end of 2018. They eventually moved in together and currently live in Denver, Colorado. Leah has a daughter from her previous marriage to Ross Shafer. When it comes to her professional life, Captain Sandy is getting ready for the Below Deck Med season 8 premiere, which begins airing later this month.
The Below Deck Med cast member took to Instagram to share the exciting news that she is now engaged to Leah after getting down on one knee and proposing. “[It’s] official! I asked Leah to marry me, and she said YESSSSS,” Captain Sandy exclaimed. She ended the post’s caption by telling her social media followers to “stay tuned” for the eventual wedding, signaling she’ll keep posting updates along the way.
Aside from her Instagram post, Captain Sandy spoke with E! News about the big relationship milestone. She admitted that she’s “been thinking about marrying Leah for years.” In fact, when it came to knowing if Leah was the one for her, Captain Sandy actually revealed that she “knew from the minute I met her.”
Below Deck Stars & Fans Congratulate Captain Sandy & Leah
Captain Sandy also told E! News everything that went into planning for the proposal. She set up a boat ride that would take her and Leah to a “beautiful cove.” The area was “decorated with flower,” which led to a table where they would have a date. Nearby, some violinists performed in the background. However, the part of the date that suddenly changed came when Sandy got too nervous and decided to propose right when they first arrived. She admitted that she “truly could not wait!” Leah’s face was “priceless, and my heart exploded!“
The comments section of Captain Sandy’s Instagram post was filled with an endless amount of congratulations and well-wishes. Below Deck Med‘s Aesha Scott posted, “SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITING GAAAHHH!!!! Couldn’t be happier for you two!!!!!” Courtney Veale exclaimed that she was “so happy” for the engaged couple and left three red-heart emojis. Captain Sandy’s now-fiancée Leah even left a comment, saying, “I love you yawn beyond baby.”
This is definitely an exciting development in Sandy and Leah’s relationship, and because the former has a platform from starring on a popular reality show, she’s able to share the news far and wide, and receive a ton of love in return. It’s easy to pile on the criticism when viewers are watching these cast members week after week and notice troubling behavior pop up. But for this particular moment, it’s clear that Sandy and Leah are surrounded by a lot of love and support as they get ready for their future wedding.
Below Deck Mediterranean season 8 premieres September 25 at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo.
Sources: Captain Sandy Yawn/Instagram, E! News
