When Melissa met Stephen he was a lake guy. Melissa being ocean obsessed, despite her lack of swimming abilities, had no interest in learning anything more about the man. But, she was soon left with no choice but to. Melissa was assigned to take Stephen under her wing to train him through new-hire orientation at the local urgent care during the height of the global pandemic. She was quick to share with him her lack of teaching abilities and patience; as well as her hatred for having to repeat herself more than once. Stephen has since shared how scared he was of Melissa within the first five minutes of their meeting, but hid this emotion well, responding to her bluntness with a motivated "Ok, let's get to it!” Stephen kept his mouth shut and observed her every move. Melissa was shocked how quickly he caught on and how well he kept up, but hid her approval of him just as well. It took barely three shifts together before the two found themselves proficient in dancing around one another in the busy clinic; never stepping on each other's toes despite how big Steve's feet were in combination with his clunky Croc's. As soon as their talent together was recognized, they were separated. Stephen was sent to another clinic to spread his new knowledge. The two didn't reunite until the following year, when both of their attendance was requested for an employee meeting. After forcing small talk for nearly 30 minutes, it was looking like they were the only two to show up. Stephen, Melissa, and their manager proceeded with their day-long meeting. With the lack of other humans to chat to, it was easy for both Stephen and Melissa to catch up. They quickly recognized that a lot had changed in both of their lives since last being in touch. But, one thing was still for sure, they were still ride-or-dies for their preferred body of water.

Stephen may have been stubborn, but Melissa was relentlessly persistent. So, the first time the two spent time together outside of the clinic - it was at the beach! The two parked separately and agreed to meet up on the sand. Stephen made it before Melissa, she walked for a while before finally recognizing Stephen under all of his layers. It was off-season, but come on? They both wish they could describe their first hang out as a long romantic walk on the beach with waves crashing in the background as they laughed till the sun set. But, realistically, Stephen puttered on about his hatred of the wind and cut the date short because he was sick and tired of having to wipe his runny nose. It was one of the many reasons he hated the wind. Coffee dates were more of Steve's comfort zone, and memorizing Melissa's coffee order helped to redeem him. Two shots of espresso over coconut milk delivered to her in bed led to Melissa wanting to return the favor. She would muster up the confidence before walking into Starbucks to order a venti black hot coffee, with specifically just two ice cubes, before heading over to the fire station for delivery. Over the next few months Melissa found herself ordering the quirky coffee order with more confidence, while Steve still struggled in dressing himself appropriately for their (just as frequent as coffee dates) beach walks. Melissa thought she was going to lose Stephen, literally, during their last beach date before he finally figured it out. She had never seen someone sweat entirely through a grey, full-on, sweat suit. But, he made it back to the car alive. And, luckily for Melissa, watching Stephen strip down to just his base layers "in order to survive" was funny enough to cancel out the embarrassment. For Stephen it was the final straw; he now generates an in-depth weather forecast before ever letting his feet meet the sand.

Over the course of these months, and many of the ones that were to follow, Melissa and Stephen formed quite the unique relationship. It is no secret to those who know the couple well that the pair had an extreme-level obstacle course to navigate staring at them. And while their love for one anther was obvious, they knew they had to put their friendship first. Neither partner ever hesitated in putting out a shoulder for the other to lean on until it went numb, and however long they needed it for well after that. They opened their arms to console the other on their harder days, without having to speak a word. They were brutally honest with one another. They provided one another with advice they knew they didn't want to hear, but had to. They learned to find comfort in one another throughout all the uncomfortable moments they had no choice but to face head on. Eventually the two made it to the finish line, and they did so hand in hand! As soon as their days began to feel lighter, their love story flourished. As they say, the rest was history! Melissa and Stephen attest their success as a couple today to their earlier years. They created a bond like no other, cementing a level of trust the two only previously could dream of. Melissa and Stephen being polar opposites resulted in continuous excitement that has yet to lose it's sparkle. Stephen introduced Melissa to a world she never knew existed. Her favorite show to watch these days is North Wood's Law, with COPS in constant competition for the top spot. She even acquired her own fishing license. (Who knew you needed a license to fish?!) Stephen now owns every beach gadget available. He was ignorant to the level of excitement that finding a Tommy Bahama beach umbrella on clearance at Marshall’s would bring him. It fits perfectly into his beach trolley on wheels, right next to the well-researched cooler that stands no chance against a UV of 10. The two are currently on a pursuit to find just the right apparatus that will finally give Stephen's extensive shell collection a respectful home.

Before they knew it, August 18, 2024 had arrived. The couple found themselves waking up on this particular morning to a suboptimal beach day while on a Reid family vacation. It was an unseasonably cold day for the height of summer in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Stephen was able to report to our bunch that is was going to drizzle on and off all day, his phone application aided him in predicting a 0% chance of seeing the sun break through. He knew his beloved grey sweatshirt finally had its chance to be the perfect attire for this kind of beach day! As the day was mostly a drag, Stephen suggested a beach walk to pass some time come early afternoon. Melissa followed a step behind Stephen as the two walked comfortably down the beach. Stephen seemed to prepare to crouch down to one knee and Melissa thought to herself "OMG is this is really happening right now!?" Despite the now heavy drizzle and windy conditions that accompanied it, the heightened emotions of the moment made it all disappear. As the waves came and went Stephen expressed his love for Melissa in a way she will never forget. As she stood in front of her sacredly nostalgic childhood beach cottage, she found herself unable to wait any longer before saying YES to being Stephen's wife; before he even had the chance to present her with the bling! Melissa could not have dreamt up a better man to make all of her childhood dreams come true. Stephen wrapped his arms around Melissa perfectly tight to hug her in celebration of how lucky he felt to also be hers, forever and ever.