It all started in 2009 with a bold prom proposal—Stephanie’s, not Bryce’s. She asked him to come back from college to take her to senior prom, and like any smart man, he said yes. One tux, one dress, and one unforgettable night later, something special began.

They dated for a while after high school, navigating young love and big dreams. But life had other plans—Bryce went back to WSU, Stephanie joined the Army, and they set off on their own adventures. There were degrees earned, places lived, and plenty of growing up done along the way.

Then, a decade and some change later, fate (and social media) stepped in. Bryce slid into Stephanie’s DMs, and whether it was nostalgia, timing, or destiny, something just clicked. Messages turned into calls, calls turned into visits, and before long, Stephanie was packing up and moving back to Washington.

There was no hesitation—no “let’s take it slow.” They knew what they wanted. They moved in together right away, blending lives, routines, and maybe a little too much closet space. Bryce became a full-fledged dog dad of two to their beloved pups, Cali and Hopper, and they bought their first house—sealing the deal on their forever.

Then came the proposal. Bryce and Stephanie traveled to Europe to tour the Christmas markets in Denmark, Austria, Hungary, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Along the way, Stephanie watched other couples get engaged in romantic places—over and over again—while Bryce made her wait. Finally, near the end of the trip, he brought her to Wissembourg, France, to a house on the canal near the town’s cathedral—a home famous in pictures of Wissembourg and deeply special to his family. His great-grandmother had lived there, and his grandfather grew up in that very house. On the bridge right in front of it, Bryce got down on one knee and proposed—with the original engagement ring that his grandfather gave to his grandmother.

Now, with three years, two dogs, one house, and a love that just keeps growing, they’re raising a glass to laughter, adventure, and the wild, beautiful road that brought them here. Life took them around the world and right back to each other—and the best part? It’s just getting started.