Stephen and Kerri’s love story began in the Spring of 2017. Kerri stole Stephen’s parking spot at Starbucks that day. She was pulling into a parking spot and did not see Stephen’s truck backing into the same spot. The two of them started having a conversation in the parking lot and immediately had great chemistry. Ever since that day, they would always spend their time together, laughing, making memories and building a magical life together. Unfortunately during the Winter of 2017 life would have them stop talking to each other. Over the next several years Stephen and Kerri focused on themselves, but would always have each other in their thoughts and memories. As fate would have it during the Fall of 2022, Stephen would message Kerri, with words of him missing her and wondering if she felt the same way, but unfortunately would not get a response back. After two extremely long months to Stephen, Kerri responds saying that she misses him and they both decide to meet at their “spot” at the same Starbucks. It took no time at all for their hearts to realize how much they really needed each other. They would soon get a house together in September of 2023 and start making new memories.

In the Spring of 2024, Stephen and Kerri decided they wanted to take a vacation to Kerri’s hometown of Boise, Idaho. They planned the vacation for later that year. Stephen worked in secrecy with Kerri’s Sister Kim and basically Sister Nicole, planning the perfect spot for a surprise engagement and lots of photos. Kerri kept bringing up a bridge over a river that her parents would take her and her siblings to whenever they would go up to the mountains. He knew this would be the perfect spot! Kerri was driving as they were approaching the planned engagement location. She pointed the bridge out to Stephen as they passed it, but Kerri just kept driving on. Kim was in the back seat and kept telling Kerri that she had to go to the bathroom and that we should turn around. After some convincing Kerri did end up turning the car around and going back to the bridge. Stephen was so nervous but also excited for the engagement. He put the ring in his shoe, and of course, when he went to go reach for it, he couldn’t find it at first, but kept feeling around for it and was finally ready to propose to Kerri. He was filled with tears of happiness and was overwhelmed with excitement when Kerri said YES!! Kerri was instructed by Nicole, who was taking photos, to look out over the river while she positioned them for the next photo. Next thing Kerri knew, Stephen was grabbing her left hand and pulling her in front of him. There Stephen was down on one knee. Kerri could not believe what was happening! Emotions were high and tears just started flooding her eyes. It was with no hesitation that she said YES!!

The engagement ring that Stephen proposed to Kerri with has a very special meaning. Stephen wanted to include Kerri's parents somehow in the ring / proposal. The best way he could determine to do that would be in her ring. He took 2 diamonds out of the band of the ring and replaced them with the birthstones of her parents, allowing them to always be right there with her.