If you know our couple, then you know that Marissa and Steven are both actively engaged in the San Antonio community. They serve on local non-profit boards and generally like to stay engaged with politics and leadership news. On June 12, 2018 Steven saw Marissa at a fundraiser for the non-profit New Leaders Council-San Antonio (NLC). He immediately turned to his friend Andrew and said "who is that?!" He casually found his way over to her and began to chat her up. Steven happened to be on the NLC Board of Directors at the time and thought he was pretty cool because he had extra drink tickets. A few minutes later, he beckoned Marissa to the bar so he could win her over with free booze. SHE DECLINED. An awkward hug later, and she was out the door....Oh well, shoot your shot, right? A couple of weeks later Steven happened to be on a return flight from Las Vegas seated next to Marissa's good friend Lynzee. As Lynzee scrolled through her Instagram feed, Steven saw several photos of Marissa and begged her to set him up. Lynzee happened to be dating Steven's good friend Justin, and on July 4, 2018, Lynzee delivered. Steven joined Marissa, Lynzee and Justin at Justin's pool. A torrential downpour hit San Antonio and Steven took a chance and asked Marissa for a drink. She said yes! They sat chatting for about six hours that night and it was love at first...eh...second sight!

Here's the thing. Steven and Marissa heard wedding bells almost immediately, it was just a matter of timing. They often talked about an engagement. Marissa's only request was that she be surprised! In the Spring of 2019, several vacation plans were made and scrapped. The couple finally decided on a trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Steven knew that Marissa was a suspicious of a potential proposal on the trip, so he decided on a preemptive strike sure to surprise her. On April 14, 2019, they went to church then, had brunch at a favorite local restaurant in Southtown. Marissa was studying for the GMAT at the time and had class later that afternoon. She was surprised when Steven ordered champagne and suggested they go on a stroll before class. In retrospect, Marissa says she should have known something was up because Steven is not a huge fan of champagne and always opts for other beverages. They strolled through the beautiful King William neighborhood and Steven got down on one knee under the gazebo at King William Park. She said yes and the rest is history! A nice couple was riding by on scooters and we got them to take a few photos that you can find on on the "photos" page.