We began our journey in May of 2021 on the rooftop terrace of what was once known as The Well in Kansas City. Hours felt like minutes as we spent the evening sharing bits and pieces of our lives, and after only one date, we both knew it was our last, first date.

Soon we became inseparable, and we decided to test our budding relationship with our first excursion. We took a trip to Minneapolis, MN that same summer, and fell deeply in love.

In the fall of 2021, we decided to take one step closer to becoming a family. While Ella and Camren had heard about Mark, they had not yet met him. Dena, Ella, and Camren had a great celebration to commemorate this day and is now an annual holiday we call Dadiversary.

In the summer of 2023, we purchased our family home in Lees Summit. With lots of blood, sweat, and love we have made it our own. Mark felt it was appropriate that the location of our loving home be the place to solidify their bonds to each other. In the summer of 2024, Mark bent his knee to ask Dena for her hand in marriage. She said YES!