The Meet

It's a match! On December 1, 2021, Holly and Steven matched on the dating app Hinge. They talked the night away and clicked instantly. They set their first meet to December 5, just days away from their first text. Both nervous, they met at Uncommon Grounds (a local coffee/tea spot) for a drink and a chat. Little did they know this would be a common spot for them to get their caffeine fix. After realizing they were compatible they set out to have a second, more conventional date. Six days later, December 11, they met at Margarita City (a local Mexican restaurant). They dined on what Steven would quickly learn was Holly’s favorite food! When the time for dinner came to end neither wanted to leave each other, so Holly suggested a movie - West Side Story. To her surprise Steven eagerly agreed and off they went. After enjoying a broadway musical turned movie they departed in the parking lot of the Colonie mall, but not without their first kiss.

The Journey

Over the course of the next 15 months Holly and Steven would learn they enjoyed many of the same activities. Holly introduced Steven to live broadway shows and he of course loved seeing The Book of Mormon and later Six. Steven would introduce Holly to many new foods she previously strayed away from, and some (brussel sprouts) she still does. They traveled together to get to know each other’s friend and family - going to Ohio, Rochester, New Jersey, Long Island, Boston, New York City, and many more. Through these travels they shared in both good times and bad. Not the least of which was driving home from Ohio while both were suffering from COVID symptoms. Through the Journey they learned that they were very compatible with each other and, despite their polar opposite palates, they were in love and couldn't get enough of each other!

The Move

Up to this point, Holly and Steven had been living separately and driving 45 minutes to an hour each time they wanted to see each other. As they neared their first anniversary they started spending longer stretches at each other’s places so they could have as much time together as possible. On December 25, 2022 Holly takes her cat Junior and goes to Steven's house for a week long stay. When it came time to leave, neither Holly nor Steven wanted her to go back. So she didn't! They decided it was time she moved into Steven's house and get out of her apartment. Over the next several months they both would work tirelessly at moving Holly, neither really understanding how little room Steven's house really had to give. After a little game of house Tetris they finally fit everything they both had in one house. Several hours of cleaning at Holly's apartment later they said their good byes to a place with many good memories of times spent together. Neither looked back, and love living with each other.

The Plan

Steven and Holly had a trip to New Jersey planned for May 2023 to watch Holly's sister Katie graduate from her Masters program. The plan was to bring the ring Steven had ordered and find the opportune time to pop the question. However, after learning of their many plans for that weekend, Steven felt he didn't have ample time to do this and decided to ditch this plan. As Holly is a planner, he wanted to make her proud.

The Plan B

After a bit of research Steven realized recreating their first (technically second) date would be perfect and easy. The plan was to take Holly to Margarita City, then take her to the movies, and then when leaving the movies go to the spot in the parking lot they had their first kiss to get on one knee. Of course in theory this was great, in execution this went wrong everywhere. There were no movies playing they wanted to see, so the movies were out. In addition, both were sick from various illness' so going out did not sound appealing to either one. They just decided to get take out from Margarita City and went home.

The Proposal

Defeated yet again they went home with their food. Holly went to the bathroom and Steven went to put the ring away. Just before he did, he decided to do this the "Steven way" and just do it! He waited in their tiny hall way for Holly. When she left the bathroom there was Steven, on one knee holding the ring box upside down nervously trying to say sweet things to her. Holly was completely caught off guard and started fumbling in the dark to find the light switch. With the light on she saw a very nervous Steven holding a rose gold ring asking her to marry him. After some crying and a few "shut up, oh my god stop!" she put him out of his misery and said yes.

They are so excited to start this next chapter of their lives and to celebrate their love with all of you!

H&S

Ceremony & Reception to Follow