“This is your future husband.” – Jany, May 2018 That’s the message Katherine received from her childhood friend on Instagram, along with a selfie of her and Steven at a mutual friend's Nutrition Cafe. Laughing at the bold introduction, Steven and Katherine started messaging right away. What began as a playful exchange quickly grew into a year-long friendship. They talked daily about life, music, family, movies, and everything in between, calling each other “pen pals” and finding comfort in each other’s words. Steven asked Katherine out more than once, but she always declined—never really looking for something rational... until Steven came along. Their first date happened in March 2019. They ate Chick-fil-A—a near deal-breaker when Steven didn’t pay—but thanks to Katherine’s sister-in-law Laly’s quick guidance, she gave him another chance. They walked around the mall and watched the sci-fi horror movie Us. Being together felt easy and natural. From that day on, they were “tethered.” In early April, Steven and his close friends Ricky, Rachel, Sam, Carlos, and Leslie went to Washington, D.C. Little did they know, Steven was about to send them on a grueling mission: to find cherry blossom seeds to bring back as a surprise for Katherine. After countless phone calls and running around all over the city, they finally found them—a small but meaningful gesture that said so much. Their relationship became official on April 19, 2019. Just a few weeks later, they took their first trip together to St. Augustine. Despite initial nerves, Katherine’s dad encouraged her to go, and the trip marked the beginning of their shared adventures, including a ghost story and their first time at Disney. Steven declared, “If you want to date me, you have to watch Supernatural and go to Disney.” And Katherine did. But love stories don't stop at sweet gestures. Over the years, they have walked side by side through some of life’s hardest and most defining moments, career changes, and job losses. They’ve supported each other through a global pandemic, hospital visits, and a heart procedure. Together, they’ve endured the long nights of earning a master’s degree, stood by loved ones during critical times, and faced the grief of losing a mother, a father, and a beloved pet. Through it all, they’ve built a life together—creating a rhythm of living together, dancing through 32 concerts, and adventuring on 30 trips—and counting. Each moment, both joyful and challenging, deepened their connection and strengthened their bond. On June 22, 2024, during “Summerween,” Steven proposed during a Halloween-themed picnic on Hollywood Beach—sealing a love story that began with a bold message and bloomed. As this new chapter awaits, the future may be unknown, but one thing is clear: facing life hand in hand, Steven and Katherine are stronger together.