For Steven and Gracie one summer of volunteering in 2017 changed everything (thank you Salkehatchie Summer Service!). But good things take time, and it wasn’t until 2019 when Steven (finally!) asked out the “cute girl” (a very patient Gracie) who had been crushing on him since they met. After a romantic first date that even had a slow dance in the rain, it didn’t take long before, as Steven says, they became a “couple, couple” in July 2019 and years of love, laughter, and TikTok scrolling together on the couch at night followed. After figuring out, together, two years of a global pandemic in two different cities and Steven building a construction business, Gracie graduated from Winthrop University and landed her dream job of teaching high school dance at – wait for it— Steven’s alma mater (totally meant to be). Even though the bar had been set impossibly high after their first date, after months of planning and covertly working to not ruin the surprise, Steven managed the most “Gracie” proposal ever, stopping the Lights of Lugoff Christmas parade and asking Gracie to marry him in front of the entire town (confetti cannons and all). After the easiest yes of Gracie’s life, it brings us here: being so excited to celebrate with you on December 9, 2023. #BuringMeTheBouquet