Stephanie and Max met at a theater event, which probably won’t come as a surprise to those who know them. It was 2021, late summer, at the Collaborative Theatre Project (or CTP) in Medford, OR. The show was a radio-style play, an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, where Max was an actor and Foley artist, and Stephanie ran the lights, sound, and onstage microphones. After the rehearsal process and show, the two parted ways. There was camaraderie, but nothing beyond that.

Almost exactly a year later, in 2022, another radio show came up at CTP. Stephanie was again running all the technical elements, and Max again acting in the show. This event brought more opportunities for conversation between the two, including discussions about redemption and community in Stephen King’s work, and about Stephanie’s superb music choices for the pre-show playlist (taken from movies that fit the theme and color of the radio show). Her love and care for raising the bar of the performances and her heart for forgiveness and healing stood out to him like a breath of fresh air. Still, no talk of dating happened this year. They did take a picture together with a stuffed animal (George the monkey) and Daniel, the director and editor of both radio shows they had done.

2023 brought massive changes. Both Stephanie and Max accepted Christ as their savior again. Separately, they both jumped fully in and started to learn what it truly means to follow Him. As luck would have it, 2023 also brought a reprisal of their 2022 CTP show and both took their original roles again. This show brought more conversations, more care, and another lovely picture with each other and Daniel – this version with Frank the Seagull. The two remained casual friends, unaware of the future the Lord had in store.

In early 2024, they independently decided to participate in another show, Tuck Everlasting, this time in Grants Pass. Max was running around the Rogue Valley for work and rehearsal and visiting his mom in the hospital, but through that show, their friendship really took off. Though neither acknowledged it, hugs from the other were their favorite. Max would always show up early to Stephanie’s sound booth for that very reason. Stephanie invited Max to come to her church, Philippi, and he soon found his home there among many of the cast and crew of Tuck Everlasting.

Through serving together at church, game nights at the Roby’s, wonderful Bible studies, sharing sickness and heartbreak and stories, and helping each other in their respective lives, Stephanie and Max grew closer and closer. Max gave Frank the seagull to Stephanie as a birthday gift, knowing that the seagull wasn’t travelling anywhere far. Even on a family vacation he wanted to get gifts to let her know he was thinking of her. Stephanie’s heart for community and Max’s deep desire to help others were a magnetic draw to each other.

In October of 2024, after much prayer, Max asked Stephanie out. Stephanie didn’t feel ready, her heart hesitant to be in a serious relationship again. Plus, she didn’t think she had feelings for him. But shortly after, during her trip to Maine, Stephanie found she kept calling him, sending him trip photos, and thinking about him. Through a lot of prayer, she realized she did indeed have feelings for him. In the meantime, Max was also praying hard, trying unsuccessfully to get over her.

On November 1, Stephanie (still in Maine) sent her friend Amy with flowers for Max, to celebrate opening night of a show he was starring in. After delivering the flowers, Amy – who knew Stephanie had realized how much she felt for Max -- encouraged Max to ask again. He wanted to wait for the right timing, and the following weeks brought a flurry of theater, church, family meals, game nights, daily devotionals, and late-night conversations. Then on December 29th, after a game night where their friend Steve made some inquisitive comments, the two realized that they had already been essentially dating for a while without realizing it. The next day, December 30th, they made it official.

The couple continued prayerfully pursuing each other and growing their relationship during 2025, through learning, prayer, counsel and support from loved ones. They brought snacks and meals to each other, enjoyed fun road trips, show dates, game and movie nights, built many Lego sets, danced impromptu under the moon and stars, and traveled to Maine at the start of the summer. Amidst family medical issues and other responsibilities, the two relied on the Lord’s sustaining grace, as he reminded them that the past doesn’t define them; He does. That faith is a journey, and perseverance and love are choices you make every day. That having someone to learn those hard-but-necessary lessons on the road to maturity makes that road much better here on Earth. Working together, living together, loving together, and learning about Christ together – that’s how marriage was designed. And that’s what they’re going to do.

On August 16th, 2025, Max and Stephanie made their way to Arlington, OR to collect her dad’s puppy, Indy, after he suffered a cardiac event earlier that week. After a long day of travel, high emotions, and collecting the cute puppy…they began their journey home. Along the way, they stopped at Multnomah Falls to walk around, and give Indy a much needed bathroom break. Max felt the call, prayed for guidance and strength to follow through with his promise, and proposed in the parking lot, the falls behind them. Stephanie accepted, and they began their journey towards building their marriage, one day at a time. Their wishes for creating and sustaining a covenant with Christ at the center has propelled them this far, and the hope that He brings and their excited dreams of a partnership are what keep them stepping forward.

Plus, once they’re married, they might be able to catch up on their growing list of TV shows together while they’re building their family and their lives as one.

M&S

Wedding Day

Reception