We met during our freshman year of high school, and remained acquaintances throughout the four years. It really took us ten whole years to start talking again and we found that we had a lot in common and there might be something there. Of course, then Steven was living 1,800 miles away in Wyoming while I (Alanna) was still living in Staten Island. What started out as an old acquaintance catching up led to a nice friendship and an eventual romance. Neither of us was prepared for a long-distance relationship, we wanted to give it a try and we're so glad we did. Yvonne (Steven's mom) famously said, "you had to move 2,000 miles away to date a girl who lives five minutes from you." From the time we saw each other again in July of 2023 to now, it's been an instant connection filled with love and friendship. I flew out to Wyoming in August for three weeks and had the best time, from there our love grew stronger and we knew for sure this was it. From then on Steven and I lived in Wyoming for 8 months, me flying back and forth (thanks to remote work) and we truly loved our life in Jackson Hole. We made great friends who will be in our lives forever. I also discovered my love for camping and hiking and Steven had someone to enjoy his other great love with: the outdoors. We moved back to New York in early June to start a new chapter of our lives together and it has given us the chance to get to know each other's families and closest friends better. Our engagement happened soon after on July 24 in Ogunquit, Maine. Steven surprised me on the first day of our vacation on a cliffside above the coast by proposing to me first in Gaelic and then on his knee in English. It was private and perfect and something we'll never forget. Now we can't wait to start the next chapter of our lives together!