Though we grew up living a mile down the road from each other we did not know each other until high school. We were in the same class at Quincy Senior High. We knew of each other, but Stephan says Michelle was too stuck up to be friends with him. :-)

Years later we reconnected through Michelle's best friend and Stephan's cousin, Ashley in May 2020. We spent a fun evening out in Hannibal during COVID since Illinois was shut down. From then on every time Ashley came to town we all got together and hung out. Ashley and her sister Heather finally spilled the beans about Stephan's attraction to Michelle in September 2021.

Stephan finally asked Michelle on a date in April 2022. Michelle joined Stephan and his friends on a trip to Vegas a month later and our relationship has grown ever since. Stephan proposed on December 16, 2023 in front of Michelle's family at their Christmas celebration.