On March 4th, 2022, after years of debating, Sarah decided to download the dating app Bumble. She'd tried all of the others and gotten nowhere, so it was time for a new one.

That same day, she swiped right on a long haired blonde guy and it was a match! Stephen paints miniatures and Sarah loves a good tiny object, so it was a match made in heaven...or Kansas...whichever.

Their first date was March 13th, 2022 at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art - Sarah's idea, of course. :) They went to brunch beforehand at Eggtc. Before they went inside, a man walked by and handed them green beaded necklaces for St. Patrick's Day. They both still have them!

After some awkward, sweaty handholding and sitting outside at a bench talking about Pokemon Go, they went their separate ways.

Sarah was living in a studio apartment in KCMO and Stephen lived in KCK in his own house. After Sarah's lease was up the following March, she picked up all of her things and moved in with him and his two dogs - Banner and Marlee.

It was not a hard transition - it felt like they'd lived together for years. Like it was meant to be!

Since Sarah is originally from Arkansas, she doesn't really get time to go see her family much. Her best friends Stephanie and Angela made her feel like Kansas City was home.

Stephen has a huge group of friends who welcomed her in with open arms, too! Holidays and birthdays are much happier with their chosen family around!

In March of 2024, Sarah was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. The couple had been talking about getting married previously, but the illness put a spin on things. After only being together for 2 years, they were going to go through something life changing. It was terrifying for so many reasons! Stephen was so supportive throughout the entire ordeal, which luckily for them both, was over with pretty quickly.

On April 3, 2024 - Sarah's 33rd birthday, Stephen officially proposed in the kitchen of their rental house. It was heartfelt and straight to the point - very much like Stephen. :) Later on in the month, Sarah had surgery and has been cancer free since!

Finally, Stephen and Sarah are getting married March 14, 2026 on their 4th dating anniversary!

We are both so excited that you're reading this. You're so important to us and hope you can make it! :)