Although we met in 2012 we didn't spend quality time together until 2017. Colin came to visit his Aunt in the US after many years apart. During a few days, while she was away on some prior obligations, Stephanie took Colin out sightseeing. We had great fun and enjoyed each other's company so much so that we decided to do it again in 2018 when Colin came out again to visit his Aunt. A spark was ignited and we decided to give a long distance relationship a shot. Colin came out to see Stephanie for the first time as a couple for her November 2018 birthday.

After many months of video chatting and messaging, we were fortunate that we got to see each other again in March for Colin's birthday. After realizing that four months was way too long of a wait to be by each other we booked Colin his third trip to America in May to see Stephanie. We spend our time going to the beach, hiking and bonding with friends & family. Late July, Stephanie went to see Colin in England and he whisked her away to a four day stay in Sorrento, Italy to spend our one year anniversary. We had some of the best days together making pasta, drinking wine, and visiting Pompeii. Colin puts his house on the market in September and we started the transition to say goodbye to his family, friends and work. We managed to squeeze in one more visit to California before his final move. As the Holidays fell upon us we found that his final days to move to America grew faster. Colin said his goodbyes in England and said his hellos in America on December 28th, 2019.

We set out to Santa Cruz mountains to go on a day hike then hit the beach up after. Colin proposed on May 22nd, 2019 on the Santa Cruz beach at sunset. She said YES!!!!!

We did it! We started the process in January knowing that someday we just might want the option to live in the same country. Pretty nuts considering we had only been in person together once at that point. Our paperwork was accepted April 26th. We were in Italy when we learned of his Visa being approved for the first step. There are many more tedious and incredibly stressful steps that follow. Colin had to go to London twice just for the day (6 hour journey) to go to the Embassy. The hard work paid off and we were approved in less than a year!!!!