Our story started in a way that many do in this modern age, through Hinge, an online dating app. Stephen messaged Stacy and they began talking. After about a week, Stephen asked Stacy if she wanted to meet up. However, Stacy was about to leave on a two-week hiking and camping trip with Kelly, her best friend (and Maid of Honor). Stacy told Stephen and they agreed they’d get together once Stacy was back. When Stephen heard that she was going to be gone for two weeks he thought, “Wow, this isn’t going anywhere.” Stacy also expected it to fizzle out since she’d be gone for so long but despite the sporadic cellular service in the mountains of Oregon and Washington, Stephen kept in touch. One day while hiking in Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon, Kelly asked Stacy how online dating was going was and to tell her about the guys she was talking to. Stacy told Kelly about Stephen, noting she “wasn’t sure” because he wasn’t the best conversationalist online. Ultimately, they decided Stacy should go out with him when she got back even if it was unlikely to amount to anythin. Stephen and Stacy met at Virginia Beer Company in Williamsburg on July 10, 2021. Stephen decided to do his best to determine if pursuing things was worth it or not by bringing up politics, religion, money, and children all within the first hour. They stayed until last call and decided to meet up again soon. Although Stephen had knew he wanted to marry Stacy for quite some time, he ultimately asked her parents for permission in December 2022. He spoke with Kelly to get her opinion and decided he would propose while he and Stacy were in Dallas in February. However, the day before they left Stephen came down with a terrible stomach bug and they had to cancel their trip. Stephen ultimately proposed on March 11, 2023. Stephen took Stacy to the Crim Dell Bridge on William & Mary's campus where he proposed. Legend has it that if two people cross the Crim Dell, they are destined to be together forever.