#shawmendes

The first time it happened, it was completely unintentional. Neither you nor Shawn could’ve imagined what it would turn into.

It was during Shawn’s third world tour. It was your first time joining him on tour and you were having the time of your life exploring the world with him. Just like now, you and Shawn couldn’t keep your hands off one another. Whether it was hand holding, looping your arm through his, you and Shawn always had to be connected in one way or another. That day it just happened to be a piggyback ride. 

You two had made the risky last minute decision to go out and get coffee an hour before his meet and greet. There was a café only ten minutes away from the venue, so it seemed like you two had tons of time. Shawn was so confident in the location of this café that he refused to use his GPS. However, when that ten minute walk turned into thirty, you realized that you had made a mistake leaving Shawn in charge of directions.. When everything was said and done with you had fifteen minutes to get back to the venue. Although you were in charge of directions this time, you had made the mistake of wearing new shoes that hurt your feet so bad that whenever you walked, you limped.

“Baby, I hate to be that guy,” Shawn started, realizing that at this rate you wouldn’t make it. 

“I know, I’m sorry! It’s the shoes!” You whined in response.

Thinking about it for a second, Shawn then stepped in front of you and squatted down. “Alright then,” he said. “Hop on.”

Not having the time to question the absurdity of him giving you a piggyback ride in the city, you jumped onto his back. So with you giving him directions into his ear, you two made it back to the venue in record time. 

Headed to the meet and greet area, you still remained on his back. Feeling extra in love with him during this moment, you squeezed your arms around him and said, “I could get used to this, you know. You carrying me around everywhere. Not too shabby if you ask me.”

“Oh really?” Shawn answered, matching your playfulness. All of a sudden, Shawn broke out into a full on sprint, all the way to the meet and greet area, causing the two of you to break out into laughter fits so hard that you had tears rolling down your face.

When you and Shawn had stepped in front of the iconic floral background where tons of fans met Shawn both of you still couldn’t control your giggles.

Cez brought you two back to reality. “Really cutting it close there, huh guys? The fans are all ready for you, Shawn. Almost had to send out the search party!” He said, trying to reprimand you both, but couldn’t hold back his own smile.

“Sorry,” Shawn apologized, slowly calming down and preparing himself for the meet and greet. “Can someone get Y/N a chair? I don’t want to set her down right now, her feet are killing her”

Cez sighed but knew Shawn wouldn’t agree to anything else. “Alright, I’ll get the chair. However, in the meantime, can you at least take the test photo?”

So with you on his back, you two posed for the test photo to ensure the lighting was right.

The meet and greet went extremely well. After everything was finished, Shawn left to go get ready for the Q&A. You would’ve followed him, but the photographer held you back.

“When I was looking at the test photo, I couldn’t believe how adorable you and Shawn were. I would’ve showed you both beforehand but we were a little tight on time..” She explained while showing you the camera.

You love every single photo of Shawn, but this was something else. You two looked so incredibly happy. It was just one picture, but within it you saw your whole adventure to the coffee shop. As long as you had that photo you would never forget that day.

Later on you showed Shawn that picture. Even though you didn’t think it was possible, he was more ecstatic about it than you were. It was like a lightbulb went off in his head when he turned to you with a big smile, “What a great way to document our relationship on tour, huh bubs?”

Just like that, a tradition was born. Every tour stop without fail you and Shawn would be there ready to take the test photo, each one with its own story behind it. Although most of them were silly, you loved how you would never forget all the little moments from tour. You were also able to capture some big moments in your relationship. For example, there was that one photo were Shawn was carrying you bridal style as you proudly flashed the camera your gorgeous engagement ring. Another memorable one would be the test photo taken at the last show of the fourth tour that Shawn was kneeling and kissing your at-the-time flat belly while you displayed your first sonogram picture. 

The tradition carried itself through the end of Shawn’s fifth world tour. However, on that particular tour you and Shawn had an extra person join in on all your pictures. Gabriella Wren Mendes made her way into the world in September in between the fourth and fifth tours. As much as she was wrapped around both yours and Shawn’s fingers, there was no denying that she was a daddy’s girl. Since the day she was born, her and Shawn have had this magical and unexplainable connection, and you were forever in awe about it. So there was no question as to whether or not you two would stay at home for the duration of tour. Although you had apprehensions about bringing a then six month old baby on tour, she ended up being the piece that you never knew was missing. It might have been an unconventional environment for a baby, but all she needed was her mommy and daddy to be happy and you and Shawn were always there for her. Your first year as a family was definitely one for the record books, and you were so grateful to see the growth of your family kept within those meet and greet test photos.

With that tour having ended about two weeks ago, you, Shawn, and Gabriella were spending some quiet time, just the three of you back in Toronto. With the craziness of the holidays over, you were looking forward to everyone taking a couple months off just to be with family. Today was supposed to be a normal day in the Mendes household. However, what Shawn didn’t know was the surprise you had planned for him as a thank you for being such a great husband and father this past year. You really wanted this moment to be between Shawn and his daughter, so you secretly set up a camera in the nursery just so they could have their time. You would be watching the live footage on the baby monitor app on your phone, but you wanted to have this memory saved forever. 

Coming down the stairs, you put the whole plan into action. Shawn was in the kitchen cooking while wearing a plain white t-shirt and gray sweats that hung low on his hips when you came up behind him.

“Hi baby,” you greeted, heart overwhelmed by the sight of your husband in front of you.

“Good morning honey. Breakfast is almost ready. Where is Bella?” he hummed, using the nickname the one year old gave herself due to the fact she had trouble saying her real name.

“That is actually what I wanted to ask you about. I have to get back to a couple of clients, and I’d rather do it now so that I can be yours all day. Would you made saving me a plate of breakfast? It smells delicious and I shouldn’t take too long. I just checked Bella and she was still asleep, but she should be up any minute if you could grab her,” you explained, knowing he would oblige.

“Absolutely. I’ll save two plates and when you are done we can each breakfast as a family. Don’t worry about anything, I’ll get her bottle ready right now,” Shawn responded walking over to the cabinet to grab a clean bottle.

“Thank you. I love you so much. If you need me you’ll know where I’ll be!” You said as you headed downstairs to your home office. 

“You don’t need to thank me baby, it’s my job. Just don’t be too long! I want to take you and Bella ice skating after we eat!” He yelled as you walked out of sight. 

“Ice skating? He really is the perfect husband and father.” You thought, the idea of him still giving you butterflies.

You were sitting in your office when about ten minutes later you heard Bella cry through the baby monitor app on your phone that you had been keeping an eye on. Shawn couldn’t stand the sound of her crying, so you knew he was already on his way up to her nursery. You watched the scene play out in front of you.

    Bottle in hand, Shawn walked into Bella’s nursery. Her room was painted gray with a bunch of pink accents and furniture. Above the crib hung a floral sign with Bella’s name that Aaliyah had gotten her for Christmas.

“Look who’s awake!” Shawn greeted gently as he entered the room. At the sound of Shawn’s voice, Bella instantly calmed down. However, as Shawn approached the crib he was taken aback at what he saw. 

What he did expect see was his baby girl; her brown hair, eyes that matched his, and smile that never failed to melt his heart. What he did not expect to see was a book sitting above her head that appeared to be handmade. It was titled: “Our Adventure Around the World: 2023”.

Looking down at the baby, he spoke to his daughter, “Whatcha got there, Bells?”

Giving the best answer a one year old could, Bella reached upwards towards Shawn and squealed, “Dada!

“I should’ve known,” Shawn said while chuckling. “C’mere, you must be hungry!” 

Shawn lifted her out of her crib, and she immediately buried her head into his neck, her safe space. However, before going down to sit down and feed her he snatched the book as well.

Settling down into the pink rocking chair that was even too big for him, Shawn flipped Bella around so that she was laying on his chest. She was old enough to feed herself, so Shawn usually liked to take this time to rest his hands on her belly and admire the beautiful life he created or sing to her, but today Shawn had something else to investigate: this mystery book that somehow landed into his daughter’s crib.

“Let’s see what we got here,” Shawn said, kicking his feet up onto the feet rest. While maintaining the rocking motion for the baby, Shawn opened the front cover and his heart dropped. It read:

Hi Daddy!

I was so so so lucky to have been able to join you on tour this year with mommy. Everyday you would play songs that made me dance all around while still being the best daddy in the world. I’m so proud of and grateful for you. We also went on some crazy adventures!! So here is just some pictures of our family from around the world with a little description of what we did in each city so you’ll always remember them (let’s admit it you are a little forgetful!), because I know won’t!

Love,

Bella

Taking a quick flip through the book, he couldn’t believe what he saw. They weren’t just any photos. They were the test photos from every tour stop. Each of the 105 pages had the date and city listed, along with another letter from Bella. He thought he knew how much she grew from the beginning to the end of the tour, but to see the first photo and then the last was just unreal. 

“You did all this for me, Bells?” Shawn asked dumbfounded. 

The only thing he got in response was the sound of her drinking her bottle, so he continued. 

He absolutely adored every single page, but there were a few that stood out in his mind. Across the top of the page it read: 3/25/23. Bologna, Italy. In this picture, Shawn held Gabriella in the middle of you and him while both of you kissed either of her cheeks. Shawn giggled at how smushed her cheeks looked. This is the letter that followed:

Dear Daddy,

I really like Italy! There is nothing I love more than spending than spending the morning with you and mommy at a café. The food and the coffee looked and smelled so yummy I wanted to eat it so bad (trust me, I would’ve if you and mommy didn’t stop me from grabbing it!). But having you feed me my babas every morning while we sat outside and looked at all the pretty buildings was just as fun! You and mommy were really impressed by how curious I was by everything, but how could I not be? This was our first time out truly exploring as a family. We don’t have stuff like this in Toronto! You carried me around on your chest all day in that carrier mommy brought from home. We even went to a park with Uncle Brian and Uncle Connor that you went to a couple of tours ago! There was a super fun seesaw at that park. We stood on one side and then Uncle Brian stood on the other and we went up and down! Mommy was super scared, but I couldn’t stop giggling! We definitely have to come back here for a family vacation!

Love,

Bella

Shawn remembered how much fun they had in Bologna. They really didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, but looking back on the entire tour, that day was definitely one of his favorites. He made a mental note to look at flights to Italy later that day.

The next page he stopped on was dated 6/14/23. Vancouver, Canada. Bella was sleeping on Shawn’s chest while his other arm was around you. Both you and Shawn looked at Bella with the utmost care. This was surprisingly the whole photo in the entire book that Bella wasn’t awake for.

Dear Daddy,

I think we both had a little bit of a rough start to this leg! Your in-ears system crashed in Portland yesterday, and I started this thing called teething. I think you faired a little better than I did, this thing really hurts! I woke up in a really cranky mood and when you tried to feed me, you saw that my two bottom were coming in! You left to get me a teething ring and some medicine, but that was a mistake. The whole time you were gone I cried. I must’ve inherited your lungs because I can scream pretty loud! However, as soon as you came back and I was put in your arms I calmed down. I was still pretty sad, but you kept me in your arms for the next six hours walking circles with me around the venue, singing to me, and rocking me in your dressing room until I finally fell asleep. You continued to hold me until you absolutely had to go to the meet and greet. I don’t if we all would’ve made it through that day without you. Despite being the world’s biggest rockstar you still make being my daddy a number one priority!

Love,

Bella

Thinking back to that day, Shawn sighed and looked down at Bella. 

“That was a tough day for the both of us baby. Daddy hates to see you in pain. But look how many teeth you have now!” He said, reaching down to lightly tickle her tummy, causing her to let out a giggle that made Shawn’s heart burst.

The next page he came across was dated 08/10/23. Newark, New Jersey. You were holding Bella. You and Shawn were laughing at Bella because she was wearing her soundproof pink noise cancelling headphones and was very confused at what was on her head.

Dear Daddy,

These past few days had been filled with so much fun! Two days ago you turned 25! It was my very first birthday with you, so we had to make it really special! We were in NYC, so mommy and I woke you up with kisses and then we cuddled all morning. Then I gave you my gift, a picture from the day I was born that you had never seen before. Mommy took it while we were doing skin to skin for the first time. You said you were going to keep it in your guitar case for good luck. Later, Uncle Andrew had rented out the Color Factory for the whole team to explore and celebrate. My favorite part was the ball pit, we stayed in there forever just playing around. The Newark show was the first show I saw in person. Normally my bedtime is 7:00, but since you gave me some birthday cake for lunch, I was wide awake! Since it was your birthday, both of my grandmas and grandpas were at the show! Auntie Aaliyah too! I had the BEST time, I love seeing all the colors of the crowd change because of their wristbands and I really wanted to sing with you on stage because I kept making grabby hands at you. You sing to me all the time, but this was unlike anything I had seen before. Since I was in the crowd, you sang the song you wrote for me for the first time live! I can’t wait to watch more shows!

Love,

Bella

“My favorite part was the ball pit too, Bella! That was my best birthday yet.” Shawn looked down and saw that Bella had finished her bottle. He gently took the empty bottle and set it down on the changing table. Keeping Bella laying on his chest, he decided to read a few more of her letters out loud to her.

“Next up: October 10, 2023. Manila, Philippines,” Shawn announced. In this photo Bella sat on Shawn’s shoulders. Bella’s hands were lifted high in the air, celebrating an accomplishment while you and Shawn looked at her proud as possible. You were also in the middle of applauding her.

“Dear Daddy,

    Today was a big day, I took my first steps! Mommy was getting worried that I wasn’t walking yet. You told everyone I knew how to walk because I could stand on my own but would refuse to walk unless I was holding onto someone’s fingers. You told everyone I was waiting for my moment. I guess this was it! You were on stage for dress rehearsal and mommy was holding me at side stage. You were practicing “If I Can’t Have You”, one of my favorites! All of a sudden, Uncle Connor came up to show Mommy some new pictures on his computer so she put me down. You must’ve been dancing or something on stage because I really wanted to join you! So I headed for you as fast as I could all on my own! Mommy shouted your name so you saw me coming and you had the biggest smile on your face. You were really silly, Daddy! You kept moving away from me so I couldn’t get to you, but I still followed you anyways. I guess I knew how to walk after all. You were so proud of me, you told everyone at the show that night what I did. You also gave me tons of kisses, I still don’t think I’ve recovered from them!

Love,

Bella”

As soon as Shawn finished, Bella started kicking her feet and got a huge smile on her face. 

“You thought you were so sneaky, huh little missy? Pretending not to know how to walk” Shawn teased. “Well I knew all along! You can’t fool daddy!”

Bella just kept up with her kicking in response. 

“Ok baby, one more!” Shawn explained while flipping through the pages.

“This is a good one. October 31, 2023. Melbourne, Australia.” 

Bella stared intently at the page. Being the crazy Halloween person that he is, Shawn had planned your family costume for months. Bella had been into Peter Pan ever since she was born, so this Halloween you brought that to life. Shawn played Captain Hook, dressed head to toe in pirate paraphernalia and a pointy mustache. You were Peter Pan, from your hat with a red feather in it down to the green tights. In your arms, Bella was Tinker Bell. She had on a lime green dress, wings, and shoes each with a white pom pom on each. Her hair wasn’t quite long enough to be put in a bun, but her ponytail was so short you felt like you got a way with it. This was one of Shawn’s favorite pictures of you as a family. 

“Dear Daddy,

    Today is one of your favorite days of the year and I think it is becoming my favorite too! You did an amazing job with the costumes. You even had your nails painted! While we got ready, we had a dance party to all Disney songs, and we jumped all around while you tried to imitate all the voices of the characters! Can we please do another one soon? We walked around the entire venue showing off our costumes. Whenever we met someone new, I would always point to my costume and say ‘Tink!’ so they would know who I was. Later I watched you practice the special song you did that show, it was so funny! Mommy and I clapped along while you rehearsed your synchronized leg kicks and head turns with the rest of the band. You wore a silly outfit for that song too, it had as many bright colors as my crayon box. But as always, you had a wonderful show. I even got to meet Cookie Monster backstage! I was only one month old for my first Halloween so I basically slept through the whole day, but this is one I want to remember forever. I don’t know how we can top it, but I’m sure you will!”

Love, 

Bella”

Once Bella heard that Shawn was done talking, she pointed to herself and shrieked, “Tink!”

“Yeah, baby. You’re Tink. You’ll always be my Tink.” He said while giving her a kiss to the top of her head. 

Before putting the book aside, he read the back cover. It had two sets of handprints on it, each with their own date, one from the first day of the tour and one from the last. Shawn couldn’t but get emotional. His baby girl was growing up faster than he could handle. Along the bottom was written “For a year of unforgettable memories, and to a lifetime of more.”

It was at this point, Shawn picked Bella up and lifted her high in the air.

“This is the most amazing gift. Thank you so much, Bella baby! You and mommy are the best travel companions I could ever ask for. Getting to experience tour with both of you lovely ladies was a dream come true. As much as I love tour and what I do, it’ll never come close to the love I have for you two. Everyday with you and mommy is an adventure, and I promise you I’ll spend the rest of my life making the most of it. Do we have a deal, little one?”

Giving Shawn the best response he could’ve asked for, Bella simply said, “Dada!”

It was at this point, Shawn started to smother Bella with kisses, which caused the room to fill with their giggles.

That is when you decided to go and reunite with your family. By the time you got to Bella’s door they were still laughing. 

“Looks like I missed a good time while I was gone!” You said, getting the attention of both your loves. Bella’s eyes lit up when she saw you and she started to reach for you. Therefore, you walked over and grabbed her from Shawn. 

“Thank you for the book, Y/N. There are not enough words to describe how much I love it.” Shawn said while looking up at you from the rocking chair.

“What book?” You started, jokingly. “Oh did Bella give you her book today? She was telling me she was going to give it to you soon! She was working on it all tour, I’m surprised I was able to keep the secret from you so long. She did such a great job, didn’t she?”

“Of course,” Shawn continued, playing along. “Bella isn’t the type of girl to get help!”

Quickly Shawn’s demeanor turned to pure adoration as he said, “Either way, I need to show both of my girls love like right now so come here!”

So the three of you cuddled in the rocking chair. Bella went back to laying on Shawn’s chest and you cuddled into his side with one of your hands resting on Bella’s back. There wasn’t much talking, all of you content with the fact that no matter where in the world you were, you had home in each other.

After a while, you broke the silence. “You know, Bella mentioned that she wants to make a book for every tour.”

Still caught up in the perfection of the moment, Shawn simply hummed, “Oh really? I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

And just like that a new tradition was born. 

Thanks for reading!! xx