On Thanksgiving 2017, they sat and laughed for hours and both felt a spark. Karina messaged Steven the next morning and their connection turned into something more. After talking for about a month, Steven officially asked her to be his girlfriend. They spent their first holidays together with their baby girl and families - It was just the beginning of their love story. Eventually, Steven had to go back to Louisiana to finish playing his last year of college ball. It was hard to be apart but Karina and Valerie were able to visit him at school and watch him play for the first time. He played his best season yet! After graduating, Steven came back home and they were inseparable once again. Together, they continued to grow as partners and parents.

At the five-year mark, on April 18th, Steven got down on one knee and proposed after an intimate gender reveal for their third child. Surrounded by love and joy, it was a moment that made every year of their journey together worth the wait. Now, they’re counting down the days until they can celebrate the wedding of their dreams—hand in hand, with their children and families by their side.