by Susan Slater
A match made in Zephyrhills. Some love stories are written in quiet moments — a held hand during a scary movie, shared lunches in a local park, a simple question asked over burritoes. But the love story of SinCea and Shane Rice is also the story of a father whose devotion helped turn a young couple’s dream into a wedding embraced by their community.
Sin-Cea, raised and home schooled in Zephyrhills, first met Shane through his younger brother Taylor, who works with her at Radiant. One night, a group of friends went bowling at Pin Chasers, and Taylor’s brother Shane joined after seeing a movie. He later invited Sin-Cea to a scary film, stating that if she got frightened, she could hold his hand. That simple gesture became the start of their budding romance.
While sharing a meal at Chipotle, Shane asked her to be his girlfriend. Their love grew along Gall Boulevard, where many of their milestones unfolded. They met at Hurricane Park, where Sin-Cea often brought Shane lunch. It was there, with the rhythm of their hometown, Shane asked her to marry him.
Sin-Cea wanted Shane to meet her dad — Ivan Avare, known throughout the community as Sally’s son, Sophia’s husband, Sin-Cea’s dad and an employee of the Greater East Pasco Chamber of Commerce. At Hercules Park, Shane asked Ivan for permission to be engaged to Sin-Cea, even without a wedding date in mind. Ivan gave him the classic “dad talk,” reminding him to respect and love his daughter. Shane’s request felt old fashioned, meaningful — especially to a man who had proposed to his own wife at her father’s gravesite.
Sin-Cea and Shane didn’t want a big wedding. They hoped for a simple ceremony at the Dade City Courthouse, but when they learned weddings were no longer performed there, disappointment set in. That’s when a dad determined, to keep a promise, created a Pop Up wedding. Why not Hercules Park, the place where their love had grown? And who better to officiate than Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson, whose proudest project as mayor had been revitalizing that very park?
On July 29, 2026, Sin-Cea and Shane exchanged traditional vows with Mayor Monson. Ivan, who had survived three heart attacks, walked his daughter down a white winding sidewalk, telling her he had kept his promise to see her married. The wedding became a tapestry of community love — Shane’s parents Aida and Thomas Potter; his brother, Taylor; Chamber CEO, Victoria Wiggins, Chamber members; Shane’s boss and two co-workers from Sun State Aluminum; and friends, Bonnie and Ron Perry, who came to represent Sin-Cea’s grandma.
After the vows, Ivan and Sin-Cea shared a first dance to Fireball and Uptown Funk, honoring her grandma who had taught her to dance. The celebration continued at Yamato’s in Wiregrass, complete with a cake made by Kathy from Olga’s Bakery. Matthew Stone photographed the day, capturing a community united around two young hearts, a wedding and Shane’s birthday.
For Sin-Cea and Shane, love began with a held hand — and blossomed into a wedding made possible by a father’s devotion and a community’s embrace. ♥
