Look Back at Captain Sandy Yawn and Leah Shafer’s Relationship (PHOTOS)
Go through every significant moment of the Below Deck Mediterranean couple's relationship, from when they first met to their engagement.
The best love is true love, and that is definitely the case with Captain Sandy Yawn and Leah Shafer.
It’s been nearly five years since the longtime Below Deck Mediterranean captain and the gospel singer first laid eyes on each other, and they have been inseparable ever since. The couple's bond has carried them through many fun adventures and difficult situations. However, their love has always prevailed and is stronger than ever.
In fact, the lovebirds took their relationship to the next level in September 2023 by getting engaged. And in honor of Captain Sandy and Leah’s recent love milestone, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane to relive every moment of their relationship through the years.
Get all the details below!
Captain Sandy and Leah Shafer’s first meeting
Captain Sandy and Leah originally met in 2018 through Facebook. “She sent me a nice message that said, ‘I came across your show, congratulations, many blessings,'” Captain Sandy told The Cheat Sheet in 2019 before mentioning that the "many blessings" part of the note grabbed her attention.
The couple officially met face-to-face in Los Angeles in November 2018, and according to Leah, it was practically love at first sight. “It was definitely unexpected,” she told The Cheat Sheet. “It just happened, when you meet another soul that you connect with at such a deep level, it is unexplainable and so beautiful."
Captain Sandy Yawn moves to Denver to be with Leah Shafer
After dating for a few months, Captain Sandy packed up her life in L.A. and moved to Denver, Colorado, to be with Leah.
In May 2019, the Below Deck Med boss shared an update on social media about residing in a new city while posting a photo of her and Leah. “Living in Denver and so happy, having a blast with [Leah Shafer]!” she captioned the Instagram.
Leah Shafer’s battle with breast cancer
In the summer of 2019, Captain Sandy confirmed that her girlfriend had shown early signs of breast cancer. Leah first announced her diagnosis by sharing a heartfelt post to her Instagram feed.
"Today I got results that I have pre-cancerous cysts in my right breast area that could end up aggressive because I have the gene as well," she captioned her post at the time, which featured a photo of herself with Captain Sandy. "I do not need chemo or oncology, it didn’t get that far. The doctor said remove ASAP!"
Ultimately, the vocalist opted to undergo a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in October 2019. Prior to the procedure, Leah shared on social media that she was "praying for clear margins and a clean bill of health" so she could "move onward.” She went on to thank her followers for all their support and prayers.
A day after the surgery, Captain Sandy confirmed that Leah was home in an emotional tribute post. "Thank you all for your support and prayers, now we wait and see if her markers are clear," she wrote in an October 2019 post. "Please keep praying for a positive result."
At BravoCon 2019, Captain Sandy gave an update on Leah’s health status, revealing that she was cancer-free after receiving results from a lumpectomy a month before.
“She’s good. She’s out there somewhere [in the crowd],” Captain Sandy told the BravoCon audience before confirming that she’s currently “cancer-free.”
Captain Sandy and Leah Shafer’s Ski Trip
While on a ski trip to Aspen, Captain Sandy shared an adorable photo of her and Leah, and in the caption she explained to her followers how the two keep things in their relationship on track.
“Aspen is my favorite place to ski! Leah is learning to ski,” she wrote. “Here’s the cool part, one thing I know for sure is when [you’re] in a relationship you must play together!”
Malia White meets Captain Sandy Yawn's partner, Leah Shafer
In May 2021, Malia White got the chance to meet her former boss’ partner while indulging in a little fun at TopGolf in Denver. "So nice to finally meet [Leah Shafer] in person!" Malia wrote in a post at the time.
Leah showed her love back by posting a group photo from their outing with the caption, “What a wonderful evening! Played [Topgolf] with my love [Captain Sandy] and Malia White and friends! So great to finally meet Malia in person, what an amazing soul!"
Captain Sandy and Leah Shafer’s Anniversary Beauty Treatment
Self-care is the best care! Captain Sandy and Leah decided to take some time from their busy schedules to enjoy a few at-home beauty treatments. Of course, Captain Sandy documented the process on her social feed.
"[Two] years ago I met this incredible soul, my true love," Sandy penned in her heartwarming caption alongside a snapshot of the ladies covered in a dark charcoal face mask. "It’s so true couples that play together stay together. Yep this is Leah’s idea of fun, detoxing the skin with a charcoal mask!" she continued.
Captain Sandy and Leah Shafer build a home in Florida
In 2021, Captain Sandy and Leah’s relationship starts to heat up as the couple takes things to the next level by building a home in the Sunshine State. As Captain Sandy told Bravo Insider at the time, “Leah and I are buying a house in Florida.”
She added, “It’s being built. It’s going to take 18 months.”
As for the details of the home, the Below Deck Med cast member shared that it was a Spanish-style abode.
Captain Sandy hints at marriage with Leah Shafer
While attending a friend’s wedding, Captain Sandy uploaded a photo of her and Leah to social media, and in the caption, she teased that there could be possible wedding bells in their future.
"What an epic night," Captain Sandy wrote in her June 2021 Instagram post. “It was full of love with [Eric Jay Baker and Jennifer Berman, MD] and who knows who’s next to do this thang!”
Leah Shafer celebrates Captain Sandy’s birthday
On February 23, 2023, Leah “surprised” Captain Sandy on her 58th birthday with a celebratory lunch, and Below Deck Med alum chef Dave White joined them. “Today is my birthday and look who surprised me for lunch! [Dave White] thank you for joining us!” Captain Sandy captioned her Instagram post. “And thank you Leah my love for making this day so special.”
Captain Sandy is “proud” of Leah Shafer’s career “pivot”
In March 2023, Leah celebrated a major career milestone. The gospel singer elevated her beauty skills by successfully completing 132 hours of permanent-makeup school.
During the time, Captain Sandy took to her Instagram Story to commemorate her girlfriend by posting a photo of Leah holding a gold seal certificate. “I’m so proud of you!” Sandy wrote, adding the hashtag “pivot.”
Leah Shafer gives an update on her health
Taking to her Instagram Story on July 24, Leah shared a health update with her followers on social media after getting a second lumpectomy just days before. In her video, she said, "Hey guys, just got the call from the doctor, and no cancer. I'm sooo grateful."
She added, “It's the mind. Like, your mind starts to go crazy thinking, 'What if I have it? And what will I do?' and you start planning," Leah continued. "And thank god, I'm totally cancer free. I'm going to continue my checkups every three months and I'm actually on my way to see the doctor now just to get the clear to do any kind of traveling. But ahh, I'm soo relieved. Thank you everyone for your prayers! And yeah, everything's good so far. Alright, love you all. Please go get your checkups."
Captain Sandy celebrated 34 years of sobriety
In August 2023, Captain Sandy celebrated a huge milestone in her sobriety journey by posting a screenshot from Below Deck Mediterranean on her Instagram feed with the message, “That’s right,” at the bottom. In her caption, she opened up about her long journey of sobriety.
"[Thirty-four] years ago today I was broken, I felt hopeless and I didn't feel worthy to look up at the sky. I tried for years to stay clean [and] sober and on August 29th[,] 1989 something shifted inside of me," she wrote. "[A]nd for the [first] time in many years I was able to look at the sky and feel worthy, I felt hopeful, and I did the work that it takes to stay clean [and] sober."
Captain Sandy and her partner Leah Shafer’s engagement
Captain Sandy and Leah are readying to lock in their love once and for all!
On September 18, the Be the Calm or Be the Storm author confirmed to E! News that she had proposed to Leah after five years of dating.
“I have been thinking about marrying Leah for years,” Captain Sandy told the news outlet. “I knew from the minute I met her, but the timing had to be right. I wanted to make sure we could truly do life together first.”
Following Sandy’s confirmation of the proposal to E! News, she posted an Instagram carousel featuring photos from the special day.
Captain Sandy Yawn shares new details on engagement and wedding details
On October 9, Captain Sandy stopped by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, where she shared exciting news on her engagement and teased her and Leah’s upcoming ceremony.
During the WWHL episode, Andy Cohen asked Captain Sandy about Leah’s reaction to the proposal, to which she responded, “Yes she was [be]cause I said, ‘I would never do that.’”
Shortly after, Andy quipped Captain Sandy about the wedding details as he wanted to know the locaton and date of the ceremony.
“I think in February or March next year [2024],” Sandy told Andy, adding, “I want it to be on a beach with no shoes – small."
Originally published Oct 12, 2023.
