Stephen and Lily met on a dating website (okcupid), which would match you with people who were similar and you could connect and securely chat. Fun fact: Stephen and Lily were a 99% match

Since they both liked video games and good food, they decided their first date should be at Dave and Busters! Lily was nervous for their first date so Stephen decided what better way to make her comfortable than to come sit next to her and show her all the pictures on his phone and his various travels! Later on, Lily unsurprisingly kicked pro-gamer Stephen’s butt at mario kart and table hockey! After that night he couldn’t forget about the girl who surprised him so.

Stephen met baby Eva (9 months old at the time) at Peebles Island State Park, and she regarded him very highly for his willingness to give her treats from her bag and water whenever she wanted. Despite Stephen’s reservations dating too early Lily asked him out at the BIG tree and he said yes.

On Saturday, Stephen drove Lily up to meet his whole family and drove around to every family member and friend’s house to introduce them. They were all surprised with such early introductions, but he knew even then that she was the one. On Sunday, Lily took Stephen to the lobster bake in Berlin where he got to meet and try to keep track of her large somewhat confusing family tree!

Stephen drove Lily out to Alexandria bay and the 1000 islands for a castle tour!

It was halloween weekend and what were these two lovebirds doing? Dressing up as Rey and Kylo Ren/jedi for Halloween no surprise! Stephen introduced Lily to all of his local friends and theh had a blast at the various haunts and stephen got to learn about the art of pumpkin carving and even excelled doing a Porg and Chewbacca of his own!

Lily took Stephen to Mt. Holyoke to meet her college friends and to attend the famous christmas vespers concert and the capital lights!

Stephen took Lily to meet his best college buddies and they had a blast at an ugly sweater christmas party!

Lily did not know what to get the boy who had everything, so she decided to buy everything Star Wars theme and decorate Stephen’s new car and turn it into the millennium falcon. Stephen: got the Harry Potter, Disney princess loving girl her first crown Harry Potter Crown!

Stephen took Lily ATV riding for the first time! You all know how much of a daredevil she is and she loved the rush of the wind and going super fast!

Lily took Stephen cross country skiing and Stephen found a cure for his phobia that also fed his love for speed, all it took was a couple wipeouts and Stephen was forever hooked.

For their 6th monthaversary Stephen took Lily to Beardslee castle for the first time and the duo fell more madly in love over dinner.

Lily took Stephen to her two year reunion at Mount Holyoke college, where he was finally able to meet all of her college friends from various parts of the country and world!

After more than two years of driving two plus hours a day to work, Stephen moved locally into his apartment in Troy with the help of some of his best friends from college and parents!

Stephen and Lily dressed up as spiderman and black widow for halloween surprising all including Lily’s family at his ability to squeeze into small things and hang upside down showing off his martial arts and pumpkin carving skills!

Stephen conquered his fear of heights by climbing his first Mountain with Lily and Eva! Stephen had to heroically carry Lily down the rest of the mountain after she sprained her ankle and was rushed to the on call!

Lily planned a special date for Stephen in Burlington Vermont, which included a visit to a local brewery and a Star Wars trivia. She made reservations to a trivia in New Jersey not Vermont! Instead, they spent their time walking around and falling in love with the Vermont Mountains and quaint store including an old video game store!

Lily and Stephen’s first Christmas tree together at Stephen’s apartment! Leave it to Stephen to snag a deal even if the tree had no more than 10 branches on it and hosted their first of many parties with all their local friends!

After 2 1/2 years of shuffle jobs to gain experience, classes, and applying Lily got into and started PA school, which changed every aspect of their relationship with Stephen dutifully standing by her side, helping her study, and making sure she was fed and got to class!

For Stephen’s 25th birthday Lily surprised him with a rented log cabin in Bennington Vermont and a romantic weekend away at the Killington Brewery Festival with friends!

On PA school break Lily took Stephen to Boston for his first trip to visit friends and he fell in love with the city and they discovered their love of rolling ice cream!

Stephen and Lily went to Ausable Chasm rafting with the Maid of Honor Jessica for the first time!

Stephen and Lily went with the maid of honor, Jessica, and all of her vet school friends to the Renaissance fair and Stephen got to act like the knight in shining armor he is!

Stephen surprised Lily with a weekend adventure to Cape Cod, which included visiting Myrtle Beach, renting a scooter, and attempting to ride said scooter up a hill, which required it to be pushed.

Lily and Stephen went on multiple hikes to enjoy the fall scenery and little did Lily know that they were planned to be Engagement hikes! To bad that in all the rush of the packing Stephen forgot the ring twice!

This year for halloween they spent it with their new PA school friends and the lovely couple dressed up as Ariel and Prince Eric to make up for Lily dressing up to match Stephen the past two years.

Given the multiple attempts at proposal Stephen decided what better way and story than on the day of their first Turkey Trot together that they had been training months for to commemorate this achievement by getting engaged that morning! Stephen got up early and decorated the living room with pictures of them, rose petals, and a beautiful romantic proposal. They then didn't tell her parents and waited till they were crossing the finish line to tell them and how surprised and excited they were!

Stephen took Lily to a cross country skiing adventure at Von Trapp's Lodge and proceeded to climb a mountain!

Stephen and Lily moved into an apartment with Eva together, their first one!

Stephen and Lily went to adventure extreme together and Stephen conquered his fear of 40 foot climbing heights!

Lily graduated from PA school, thanks to the wonderful support of Stephen and her family, and unfortunately given Coronavirus they all got to see graduation virtually, but were able to all be together. As a celebratory vacation for graduating, Stephen joined Lily and Jessica on their quadrennial Disney trip and got on his first plane and went the furthest away and longest away he had ever been and finally understood Jess and Lily's love for Disney and got to fulfill his dream of making his own lightsaber!