In 2010, Sarah and Dean met in George Ackerman's "Moving Earth and the Stars Above" freshman science class at Spaulding High School.

Dean had gotten the zipper of his fly stuck on his jeans, and his friends encouraged him to "ask the new girl for help." Without thinking, Dean did just that. Sarah's response? Walk away. Soon after, Dean realized how awkward his 14 year old self was being and apologized for the entire interaction.

Soon after, the two started talking almost daily, they hit it off immediately and have been the best of friends ever since.

After having unofficially but exclusively dated for about a month at that point, Sarah went over to Dean's grandparents' house for a family dinner. We ate delicious food, told a hilarious slew of stories, and ended the night watching "The Office" on Netflix. Part way through an episode, Dean asked, "Sarah Starkey, will you be my girlfriend?" - and that's where the romance officially began.

After both graduating from Spaulding in June 2014, Dean and Sarah both committed to attend Creighton University in Omaha, NE. They moved almost 1,500 miles away to start their newest adventure together.

Before the week of Thanksmas (a Starkey family tradition consisting of Thanksgiving on Thursday, Black Friday shopping on Friday, and Small Business Saturday and Christmas on Saturday), Dean and Sarah went to get pictures done with their favorite photographer, Heidi. They met in downtown Omaha, one of Sarah's favorite places, and started snapping away. After a few pictures, the group switched locations, and that's when Dean proposed. Of course, Sarah said yes! The day then continued with more pictures to commemorate the occasion, celebrating with free champagne, and getting used to saying the words "engaged" and "fiancé."

After having volunteered at the Nebraska Humane Society for some time, Sarah met dozens of wonderful adoptable dogs. But, the second she met Johnny and Suzie, she knew they were meant to be a part of the Starkey-Tarmey family. Later that day, Dean came to meet the two, and again, it was love at first sight. By the end of the week, Johnny and Suzie had already made themselves at home with their new "puppy parents."

After having had the dogs in an apartment for some time and knowing they would be at their jobs in Omaha for the foreseeable future, Dean and Sarah started to discuss the idea of purchasing a home. After only a few days of tentatively looking, they found the perfect place in Papillion with more than enough space for the whole family (that being Sarah, Dean, Johnny, and Suzie).

After Suzie passed away in October 2019, Johnny took very good care of Sarah and Dean. However, he got a bit lonely. Sarah and Dean went back to the Nebraska Humane Society and met Lola - a perfect addition to the family!

After having been engaged for 2.5 years and planning a beautiful ceremony and reception in their home state of NH, COVID-19 hit the United States hard. To respect their friends and family and the overall safety of others, Sarah and Dean cancelled their NH plans and re-planned an entire event so that they could have a small ceremony with immediate family in NE on the original intended date. Though they were saddened to have to change plans, their priority remained the safety of our friends and family.

Nearly 3 years after having gotten engaged, the wedding day finally came! The couple met for a first look at Halleck Park in Papillion, NE before heading to their home down the street to get some photos done with their 4-legged family members. From there, Sarah and Dean headed to their favorite restaurant in Omaha, Block16, for an intimate and masked ceremony of 10 followed by a socially-distant and delicious dinner. After a few dances, the newlywed Starkey-Tarmeys and their family went to Coneflower Creamery for a sweet treat. From there, the couple explored Omaha with their photographer, Heidi, to get some pictures to mark the day!