Our story begins June 22, 2022...non traditional and unique.

We met online... answered those questions to see who you would match with...and then you decide to meet up or not.

Mark’s interest in fitness, working out at the gym, and travel definitely matched my interests. Then Mark shared his schedule and my response was, "hell no." Based on his Metro Transit driving schedule 6 days a week, many days until 2am compared to my Monday - Friday bankers hours 8:30 to 5, definitely not a match. But Mark was persistent and we set a date to meet. We met at my place in Apple Valley. Mark walked in and something was so intriguing, yet very special about this guy. He told me his truth and I told him of my life, and so the journey began!

Six months later...

On December 10th, at a quaint coffee house, Wild Grind Coffee in South Mpls, Mark arranged for the ring, a three layer cake, the photographer, roped the manager and staff to have the food truck and the fire pits outside burning. With my children's blessing and in attendance (via FaceTime), ALL unbeknownst to me, Mark gave me an invitation to "the start of one hell of an adventure" and an invitation to be his husband. My response was "did you ask my children?" and at that point Mark turned his cell phone over to me and said "you should ask them, they're here." I read his letter of invitation so my children could hear his written words and with their blessing, I said "YES!! We are truly blessed to have found and choose each other. These feelings are beyond my control, I couldn’t help falling in love with this man.

Steve

I would often ask myself when is it going to be my turn to have the life and happiness I saw others have. I spent 56 years of my life running, hiding, and always wanting to be found, afraid to be my truth, most importantly wanted. I ventured out to see what could be found and there he was, life's gift to me. He sent me the song Banks of your River by Needtobreathe and said, listen to the words closely, I was found. Our journey and life is based on choice and wanting, never a need or fix. Just a river always flowing, never knowing what's next around the bend, a constant journey of life's gifts to be found with each other.

Mark