Derek and Katherine first met in 2015, but as they got to know each other they learned they may have had a few close encounters before then. Although they grew up in different counties, they found out they both went to the same doctor’s office as children and even shared the same pediatrician. A few years down the road as older kids, they both took tennis lessons in South county at the same sports complex. Then while Derek was in his senior year at Missouri State, Katherine’s best friend was starting her first year there as a transfer student, and during a weekend visit in 2014 the girls grabbed a beer at (unbeknownst to them) one of Derek’s favorite frequented sports bars. They would finally meet the following year, and in 2017 they officially started dating. Derek and Katherine love eating out, playing video games, catching the latest shows on Disney +, and planning trips to the beach. When they started talking about marriage it was no surprise they both dreamed of having a beach wedding. While on a cruise with Katherine’s family, Derek proposed in their happy place (the beach) with a ring bought from Katherine’s first employer and family friends (The Jewelry Connection) after asking her brother for his approval (spoiler - he said yes!). When they get married in 2024 they will have been together for 7 years, a lucky and blessed number.