Stephanie here! Steve and I met sometime in 2012, unbeknownst to me who thought we first met a couple years later at a Christmas party held by Steve's longtime friend Emma Basdeckis (now a Bryl).

I met Emma in high school, also in 2012. I noticed her graphic T-shirt (it was an anime I'd watched), complimented it, and we became friends. I befriended most of my current friends though Emma. We had orchestra with Kyle Bryl, and I had classes with Nick Tokarewich and Angelo Burke (then Angelo Calero). But Steve was a grade above me. He was the cooler, slightly older boy that I sometimes saw at Emma's parties and occasionally at anime club. We became closer in 2013-2014, Steve's last year in high school.

Emma and Kyle will tell you how frustrating it was to listen to us talk about each other like, 'Does he like anyone', 'Does he usually buy friends teddy bears for Valentine's Day?'. Eventually, with some convincing I'm sure, Steve asked me out to the movies. It wasn't a date. We saw How to Train Your Dragon 2, since we both liked the first movie. Only, I found out later that Steve had never seen the first movie before asking me to go with him and he had intended the movie watching to be a date (he apparently watched a free German version online the night before). I'm glad he didn't give up, though! At some point later, Steve asked me, "Do you want to go out some time?" and I replied by asking, "Like on a date?" and he replied, "Kinda."

So we kinda went on a date to Olive Garden. We were already friends at this point, but going out to dinner allowed us to talk about all sorts of things. Music, TV shows, video games, y'know-the important stuff. We talked so much; we were both having so much fun. A little too much fun, I guess, because we ended up staying at the table for six hours. No wonder the waitress was giving us the stink-eye.

And basically, our relationship these past ten years has been like that kinda date. Without the waitress giving us the stink-eye! And a heck lot more secure than 'kinda'. After such a long time together, through going away for school, graduations, Steve's residency, job hunting, getting Sarge, buying a house, losing Cubby, and planning our marriage, we have always had a lot to talk about. Steve is my best friend and even when I didn't know if the relationship would be bound in matrimony, I always knew I didn't want to lose him. I love my Steve, and I know he loves me, too! It's more than I could have ever asked for, and after 10-4-25 I will be proud to call him my husband and Steve will be proud to call me his wife.