Our story begins on the unforgettable night of October 4, 2022. After matching on a dating app, we decided to meet in person at none other than Dave & Buster's in Pleasant Hill. Steven, a proud Diablo Valley College alum, and Johana, who worked at Oakmont Senior Living, were both local but had never crossed paths—until that night.

The date was magical. Was it the laughter of people having fun, the bright arcade lights, the mouthwatering food smells, or the taste of chocolate cake Steven bought for Johana (yes, for his own birthday!)? Whatever it was, something special was in the air, and by the end of the night, Johana knew: this was it.

We quickly realized we were meant to be. All the time we had spent working on ourselves had prepared us for this moment—the start of something beautiful. Through life’s challenges, big or small, we’ve been there for each other, always with unconditional love and unwavering support.

Steven knew early on that Johana would be an amazing mother figure. Proof of this came when she took Maddie, Steven, and Maddie’s friend to see the play Matilda under the guise of being “just a friend.” Maddie and Johana hit it off immediately and have been close ever since, creating a beautiful bond.

Our crew of five became official when Paul was born 14 months ago, completing our family with Maddie, little Paul, and Betty the dog. On November 18, 2023, Steven proposed at a sumo wrestling event in San Francisco with a stunning gold ring set with a pink ruby and diamonds from Pavé in Oakland. Of course, Johana said “yes,” and we officially began our forever together.

Now, we’re living our happily ever after in Idaho, surrounded by loving family members, ready to tackle whatever life throws our way. We’re so excited to declare our love and commitment in front of our family and friends, sharing the beginning of the rest of our lives together.