We're getting married!

Benjamin and Stephanie first connected like many people in their 20's... through a dating app. Stephanie was on vacation in Florida during the winter of 2018 when they matched and the app showed their distance apart as over 1000 miles. While Ben was skeptical that Stephanie even lived in Connecticut she was able to convince him and they kept talking. After a couple of weeks chatting via text they agreed to meet in person at a local brewery since they both shared a love for craft beer. In planning their first date, Stephanie and Ben discussed two breweries in Branford, Connecticut for their possible first date site: Thimble Islands Brewery and Stoney Creek Brewery. While they agreed on Thimble Island Brewery, on the day of their date, Stephanie accidentally went to Stony Creek Brewery. Ben briefly thought she might be standing him up until Stephanie called while hurrying across town to the correct place. When they finally met up, Ben surprised Stephanie with a Groupon for a flight of beer and a free commemorative glass, showcasing his thoughtful and financially savvy side. Ben jokingly mentioned the glass could either be a sweet memento of the beginning of their relationship or a tale of a disastrous first date. They hit it off instantly and later decided to continue their date sitting by the water in Stephanie's car. They chatted for so long that they accidentally drained her car battery and they had to call AAA for a jump. As their relationship blossomed, Stephanie applied to graduate school, uncertain where in the country her studies might take her. Despite the uncertainty, they decided to keep seeing each other. Stephanie was accepted to UMass Dartmouth for her Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts that summer. Benjamin, committed to their relationship, made the bi-weekly two-hour drive from Northern Connecticut to visit her, offering unwavering support throughout her graduate studies. Their dedication to each other never wavered, and in the fall of 2023, Benjamin proposed to Stephanie in front of one of her favorite artworks, Maya Lin's Wave Fields at Storm King Sculpture Park. Their love story continues as a testament to their enduring bond and steadfast support for one another. And yes, the glass from their first date is still in their kitchen cupboard.