Our journey began in the most unexpected way—on the first day of ROTC training. It was my first day, and for Steven, it was the start of his final semester. As fate would have it, we quite literally bumped into each other in the hallway of our college office. Little did we know, that small moment would be the start of something truly special. That spring, our paths continued to cross, but it wasn’t until after Steven graduated that our connection deepened. Throughout the summer of 2019, we stayed in touch, talking every single day. Whether it was sharing stories, making each other laugh, or simply checking in, our conversations quickly became the highlight of our days. When Steven went on active duty, we knew we wanted to see where this connection could go. So, in August, we finally went on our first official date. From that moment on, everything just felt right. We fell deeply in love, and it was clear that we had found something rare and beautiful. Through every challenge, every mile apart, and every adventure, our love has only grown stronger. Now, we’re so excited to celebrate the next chapter of our story with our family and friends. The rest, as they say, is history!
The summer of 2023 was already shaping up to be special—we had planned a trip to Steven’s hometown in upstate New York, excited to explore the places that meant so much to him. We arrived at a beautiful lakeside park in Olcott Beach, the gentle breeze rolling off the water and the sun casting golden light through the trees. As we walked, he led me toward a quiet spot under the shade, nestled among the trees. Years ago, Steven’s father had brought his mother here to ask her the very same question Steven was about to ask me. In that moment, surrounded by the love and legacy of his family, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Without hesitation, I said yes! That moment marked the beginning of our next chapter, one we couldn’t be more excited to share with our family and friends. Now, as we prepare to say “I do,” we look back on that summer day with so much gratitude. It was more than just a proposal; it was the continuation of a beautiful love story, one that we can’t wait to celebrate with all of you! See you in Orlando, Florida!