Abby and Grant started officially dating on July 14th, 2021, but their paths to meeting started over 20 years ago. The Stecs moved into the neighborhood “Scenic Woods” in 1999 – only five houses down from where the Hoppocks live. Even though Abby and Grant spent most of their childhood and high school years circling each other in similar friend groups and activities, they didn’t know the other any more than being the cute girl/boy down the street.

While they went opposite directions for college (Abby to Manhattan and Grant to South Carolina), their paths started to draw closer—Abby and her college friends began to hang out with guys who were some of Grant’s closest friends in high school. While back on breaks from college, the two would often meet at the same parties (or even Kanza Hall) to see their friends who were now part of the same Kansas City friend group. Two of these mutuals, Lucas (Grant’s friend from Olathe East) and Julia (Abby’s friend from Aquinas) had even been dating for the last few years after meeting at KU! During Grant’s last year of grad school, he was back in town visiting friends when he took up an offer from Lucas Reynolds to meet up for drinks at Julia’s house. Little did Abby and Grant know that Lucas and Julia (now married!) were scheming to set up Abby and Grant. The four spent the evening watching music videos on YouTube—which is where Abby and Grant discovered their mutual love for country music, especially Zach Bryan. Once Grant returned from grad school, it did not take him long to muster up the courage to ask Abby out on a date—and she happily obliged. The two spent their first date having dinner at Brookside Barrio and going to a country concert at Knuckleheads (shocker!) put on by Muscadine Bloodline.

Over the next few years, Abby and Grant would spend time doing their favorite things together—KSU football games, concerts, going on trips, lake days, PowerLife classes, attending Sunday morning masses and Sunday afternoon meals with their families.

They are so thankful for all their friends and families who have supported them in their individual paths as well as their relationship together—and grateful for the memories made with each of them. They are incredibly excited for their future together and can't wait to celebrate the next chapter of their lives together with everyone on March 1, 2025!