Stephen and Alysa met in the summer of 2012 at a bonfire. They kept in contact over the years as friends. On Aug 25, 2020 they reconnected at Vandercook lake to paddle board. They spent the end of summer water skiing and the fall exploring the upper peninsula. They spent many date nights at Lansing Brewing Company, their favorite Lansing restaurant. Eventually they moved in together, got Covid together, bought a house, and got engaged.

Alysa’s engagement ring is a family heirloom. It originally belonged to her great great grandmother Nina “Lynne” Woods. Lynne was married in 1913 and had two children. Her father was a doctor, and in 1918 was overwhelmed by patients who had the Spanish Flu. Lynne helped take care of these patients, but died from the Spanish flu in 1918. Her husband remarried but Lynne’s ring was not worn by his new wife. The ring was kept in the family and most recently was in the possession of Alysa’s grandmother Bonnie. Alysa felt a special connection to the ring as Lynne worked to take care of patients during a pandemic and Alysa has cared for patients during the current pandemic.