While Steph and Oz went to the same high school and knew each other by face and name, it wasn't until a year after Steph graduated college that they became friendly. Steph would visit her mom, Lori, at work, and when Lori would go over to the police station to check her mailbox, Steph would follow; occasionally, she would see Oz dispatching. Lori always affectionately referred to Oz as her "work son." One day, after several interactions, Oz finally decided to slide into Steph's Instagram DMs. Fast forward to summer 2018. One night, Steph was getting ready to go out and Lori asked where she was going. After some coercing, Steph sheepishly said "I'm going out with Oz ..." He was an hour late picking Steph up -- who wouldn't be after working a back-to-back midnight shift in Seaside Heights and dispatch shift in Spotswood? -- and after Lori embarrassingly waved goodbye from the balcony, the two drove off. After a comedy of errors and many stops (the first being Screamin' Hill!), Steph and Oz wound up at Applebee's in Milltown. When Oz refused to split the bill even though they were just hanging out, Steph knew he had to be a good guy. That was in July 2018. They became "official" on August 10, 2018 -- two days before Oz turned 25 -- and the rest, they say, is history. Since that day, much to Oz's chagrin, they are inseparable. Their relationship has withstood a pandemic, many trials and tribulations with work, and the unfortunate loss of pets and family members. But they've also been to PLENTY of weddings, celebrated lots of births, shared in each other's accomplishments and more. Above all, they're in it together. Steph and Oz are quite the pair. He constantly makes her laugh -- and as we all know, she has a LAUGH. She is his personal calendar, back-scratcher, Ozpecker (IYKYK) and confidant. He is her pillar of strength, personal comedian, gut-check and travel partner. But most importantly: they are each other's best friend. The day that Oz asked Steph to marry him -- May 3, 2025 -- was easily the best day of their lives. If you know them, you know that their friends and family are everything to them. Oz did everything he could to make the day absolutely perfect, and it completely paid off. Having everyone around them that day and at their engagement party was the best; now, there's one more function to go. The future Mr. and Mrs. Dikiz are overjoyed to celebrate their love and marriage with you all on October 23, 2026. Thank you for being part of our love story!