Sara and Justin’s story started on the south side of Milwaukee in the spring of 2017. Sara was a fiercely independent single mom raising a preschool son in the bustling Bayview neighborhood. Justin was a newly single dad raising two children in the far reaches of a small town called Union Grove. Despite these lifestyle differences, Justin was successful in talking Sara into a date at the South Milwaukee Tap Room. Sara was quite skeptical at first. She showed up late, delayed from her pedicure with hopes of a free meal and a brief distraction from parenting. Justin, however, dazzled her with loaded nachos, cocktails, bad humor, and a shared love of sports. Their relationship blossomed from there into HIIT workouts, Sara sharing her affinity for Milwaukee city life, and Justin slowly opening her up to the idea of rural living and its benefits. As their relationship developed, they attended many sporting events, concerts, and explored the city’s gastropubs. There were also trips together, as Justin became acquainted with the advantages of dating a travel industry veteran. The biggest dilemma became whether Sara could come to accept Justin as a Cubs and Bears fan. Somehow, it wasn’t a deal breaker for her and this could only mean true love. Despite all this, neither Sara nor Justin had big dreams of marriage. Sara had always remained defiantly single as a mother and Justin was determined to be patient in coupling after his failed marriage. However, after over two years of dating, it became obvious to both that their love and opportunity to merge families was too perfect. Justin asked Sara to marry him at her beloved Lambeau Field before the Packer/Bear game in December 2019. With enough beer and the help of a rowdy tailgating crowd, Sara said yes.

Finley, Everitt, and Olivia have always been a key part of Sara and Justin’s story, as both wanted to provide the best life possible for their children. Blending a family and sharing time come with ups and downs, though it was clear early on that a great fit could be found with all five together. Sara and Finley moved to Union Grove in 2018 and Finley has enjoyed meeting new friends and attending Union Grove school. Olivia and Everitt have enjoyed the benefits of having Sara as an organized “stepmom” and Finley as a stepbrother. Everitt and Finley share a mutual passion for video games and outdoor fun. Olivia and Sara plot out family adventures and keep the house in current holiday decor. Justin provides untimely fatherly advice and bad jokes. Love and blessings have encompassed our whole blended family and we look forward to making this happiness “official” with our friends and family in October.