Once upon a time...(all great stories begin with "once upon a time.")

A vivacious teacher (Savannah) and a reluctant property manager (Keith) decided to give internet dating a try, due to their busy work schedules. This was 2017 and OKCupid was very popular with the younger crowd. Keith and Savannah began exchanging messages on January 27th and quickly bonded over their shared love of recorders and tacos.

Every week for 8 weeks, Keith asked Savannah to meet him in person and she finally agreed. On March 18, the pair would meet for the first time at Stefanina's in Wentzville. Keith was late and Savannah was nervous - what else is new? Together they enjoyed Chicken Alfredo pizzas and talked for almost three hours.

Savannah loved the way Keith's eyes lit up when he spoke about his passions and he loved the way she could name every song being played on the radio - artist and approximate release date included.

After their meeting, the two decided they were better off as friends and went their separate ways. Life got busy and the two lost touch. Thankfully, Keith messaged Savannah in late June and the two started talking again. They became inseparable through the messages and phone calls and decided to give their relationship another shot.

Keith and Savannah were ready for their “second first date.” While a “second first date” may seem a bit unorthodox, it was the most Keith and Savannah thing to ever happen.

Anxious as always, the bubbly Savannah rocked out to pop music while preparing to see the man she hadn’t seen in months, but loved nonetheless. Twenty-eight miles away, shy and sensitive Keith eagerly awaited his opportunity to sweep Savannah off her feet.

They had been counting down to this special occasion for days, then hours. Finally, the wait was over. On July 22nd, 2017 at the Wentzville movie theatre, Keith and Savannah met to see an evening showing of "Baby Driver."

Keith sat at a high bar table, waiting for Savannah to arrive. He decided to move because he thought the table was too high and he didn't want to look awkward when he got up to greet Savannah.

In the parking lot, Savannah fumbled with her keys and braced herself to see Keith after four months away from him. The Jurassic Park theme song was playing over the loudspeakers and Savannah sprinted towards the movie theater (both parties remember that detail vividly.).

Savannah and Keith locked eyes and everyone around them seemed to fade away. "Baby Driver" was not nearly as memorable as this event and they talked in the lobby for hours after the movie. Keith walked Savannah to her car and the relationship officially began.

Fast forward four and a half years later and Keith and Savannah are still together. Since that fateful "second first date," the couple has travelled together, won Trivia Nights, gone to Renaissance Fairs, and attended concerts. They even adopted the World's Cutest Dog, Auggie, and have spent hours playing fetch with him. Their love survived limited time together amidst a pandemic. Through it all, they have lived, laughed, and loved.

On December 3, 2021, Savannah's friend Kristine invited them on a double date to see the lights in Old Town St. Charles. Savannah happily agreed, as she basically lives in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Kristine suggested the girls dress cute so they could get a picture together.

Sunday, December 19, 2021 (a school night!) had arrived and Keith and Savannah were on their way to walk around Old Town St. Charles with Xavier and Kristine. Frigid temps could not keep Savannah away from her favorite holiday tradition! While the girls gabbed, the boys talked about manly things (like staples) - nothing out of the ordinary! Xavier received a text that a table was ready for dinner at Lewis and Clark's Restaurant. Savannah was hungry and wanted to see the gazebo before they ate.

When they got to the gazebo, Savannah wanted to take a picture under the mistletoe but first had to wait for teens who were clearly Instagram influencers to leave. Savannah and Keith walked up to the gazebo and stood there while Xavier and Kristine took their picture.

"Did you get it?" Keith asked.

"We got it," Xavier said.

Keith then turned to Savannah and got down on one knee.

"Savannah, will you be mine?" Keith asked.

"Absolutely!" Savannah exclaimed.

The two were finally engaged! It's crazy to think that the girl who was scared to tell Keith her real name (online) will be taking his.

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