It all started on the soccer field...


Sara and Steven first met in 2009 while both playing for Palatine Celtic Soccer Club. You could say Natalie, Steven's younger sister, brought them together. As Steven tells it, Sara had her eyes on him ever since.


Steven started coaching in 2018 and Sara started coaching in 2022. They coached the same age group so they spent a lot of nights coaching next to each other. Cleaning and locking up after practice they often walked out together small talking.


Once winter came, they spent even more nights together. Steven was often found going to extra practices to see Sara. His family, knowing Steven's schedule, asked why he was spending so much extra time at the field. As Erika, Steven's older sister, put it, Who are you flirting with?.


Steven's first move was by sending a video of her and another coach on gym scooters. They slowly texted back and forth over the next couple of weeks. Steven started to get feelings for Sara, but did not know where her head was at. Steven went to Las Vegas for a soccer tournament and forgot to give Sara player passes. While in Vegas, Sara had to stop at Steven's house to pick the passes up. Steven, nervous that his family would mess things up did not realize that they spent 45 minutes catching up.


When Steven landed back in Chicago he muscled up the courage to ask Sara out. Their first date was axe throwing followed by 2 hours of driving through local neighborhoods sharing laughs and talking about life.


Fast forward a year to April 5th when Steven proposed. Sara thought they were going to the country club for dinner. Steven picked Sara up and said they had to stop at Celtic Park to pick something up real quick. They got to Celtic and started walking to the shed. Classic Sara on a mission when she walks, walks right past the soccer ball on the ground. Steven proceeds to tell Sara to look at the ball which said Will you marry me?. Needless to say, they did not go to the country club. Sara said yes!


We can't wait to celebrate our wedding ceremony and reception with you all in November!