We're tying the knot!

Doug and Stephanie met at Galway Hooker, a dive bar in the West Village. Doug approached Stephanie to let her know he "saw her staring at him from across the bar." Stephanie explained that she had no idea what he was talking about...she can't see five feet in front of her face! Doug continues to deny these "facts" about their first meeting, but what we know for certain is that they bantered for two hours and made multiple unsuccessful attempts to ring the cow bell behind the bar.

Shortly after they started dating, Doug moved to Chicago for a 6-month work assignment. They FaceTimed every night and spoke for hours about literally everything. Three weeks in, they flew to Lake Geneva - in Milwaukee, not Switzerland as Steph initially thought - for a country concert and romantic lake getaway. But of all their stops that weekend, Steph's favorite part of the trip was the bar where you throw your peanut shells on the ground...ahhh, the simple pleasures in life. There was singing, pancake eating, brewery tours, bonfires, and three very special words shared on that trip; they said "I love you." Haven't stopped saying it since...

Their story would not be complete without their baby, Boomer. Having just moved in together as the pandemic started, they logically decided that what their small Brooklyn apartment really needed was a dog. And it turned out to be the Best. Decision. Ever. Boomer came into their lives on April 19, 2020 and they both have permanent paw prints on their hearts. Everything they do, they do for him. Like where they put the couch pillows and what time it's now excusable for them to leave parties. He is the happiest, sweetest, goodest boy and he's currently training so he can dance with you on the big day!

Doug needed a scheme to get Steph away for the weekend, so Morgan, future wife of Zack Holland, suggested the couples take a quick trip to Mystic, CT because she "heard it is such a cute town with stores and stuff." Doug and Steph got to the B&B a day early so they could relax and unwind. But due to the perfect storm of Friday calls, a dead computer, and a charger left at home, Steph spent the morning working from Doug's computer. Meanwhile, Doug spent the morning VERY nervous about what Steph might see on said computer as last minute coordinating came together. In the end, no surprise was spoiled...they took a walk in the yard and Doug got down on one knee to ask the question that changed their lives. Steph's immediate response to that question: "Wait...are Morgan and Zack still coming?!?" For the record, she did eventually say "yes" soon after. Morgan recently received an Oscar for her performance that weekend.

We are so incredibly excited to celebrate our love surrounded by our closest friends and family. We've both been a lot of things but husband and wife will by far be the best.