Derek is from Cincinnati, OH. From childhood, Derek has always loved music and the performing arts. His biggest dream was to move to New York City. Little did he know that he would be meeting the love of his life there.

Marissa was born in Cleveland, OH but spent the majority of her childhood in Winter Park, FL. Marissa moved to New York City in 2012 to pursue her big city dreams. She dreamed of meeting a wonderful man in the city but New York has a lot of rats. The universe had bigger plans.

Derek and Marissa began talking regularly in October 2020. After they both hit it off, Derek and Chelsea drove from Cincinnati, OH to New York City to visit Marissa. It wasn't long after Derek decided to move to New York City and the two became inseparable.

Derek and Marissa have both shared an immense love for their friends and family. On June 17, 2022, during a family vacation at Put-In-Bay surrounded by family and friends, Derek proposed to Marissa.

It seems like you can take the kids out of Ohio but you can't take the Ohio out of the kids. Derek and Marissa were so thrilled to move back to their shared home state in February of 2023, allowing them to be within driving distance of friends and family. It has been such a gift to be so close to so many they love and they are looking forward to building their family and life in Cincinnati.