It all began with a match and two right swipes on the Bumble (an internet dating site)... A Georgia boy found a Southern California girl...
Joshua was attempting to date for the first time since his divorce and had been coaxed by his co-workers to join an internet dating site. Stephanie had been single, looking to find the love of her life, and turned to internet dating.
After they both swiped right, they began texting and talking on the phone for a week and a half. On November 9, 2019, Joshua took Stephanie on their first date in Ramona, where she lived at the time. Joshua would argue that it was "the best date of his life." Stephanie reported to her sister (the only one to know about the date) that she wasn't murdered by the mystery man, and also that he was extremely nice, respectful, and despite his "Mo-vember mustache," she would definitely go out with him again. It was also the best date of her life. The rest, as they say, is history.
Stephanie was born and raised in San Juan Capistrano- where the swallows or salmon come home (a Dumb and Dumber reference), depending on who you ask. She attended San Clemente High School, graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration, and was hired in 2006 with the San Diego Police Department. She served the communities of Southeastern and Western Division until 2015 where she transferred to Traffic Division. As it turned out, collision and DUI investigation was her passion.
Joshua was born in Georgia and grew up in South Carolina. He attended North Agusta High School and joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served from 1995 to 2008. He ended his service as a Staff Sergeant. He was hired by the Riverside County Sheriff's Office in 2003, where he was initially assigned to Robert Presley Detention Center and later assigned to the Perris Station.
After nearly 16 years of service with the San Diego Police Department, in 2022 Stephanie lateralled to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office. She had intentions of retiring with SDPD at age 50, but Covid and politics had other plans. She was assigned to the Southwest Station and currently serves the contract City of Temecula on the Traffic Team, with her primary duties being collision and DUI investigation.
Joshua transferred to the Southwest Station in 2023 and currently works in the Old Town Temecula area as a collision and DUI investigator. Contrary to his beliefs, Stephanie did not steal his spot at the Southwest Station, where he had put in a transfer request before she had even applied to the department.
They bought a home in December in the “census-designated place” of Winchester, just north of the City of Temecula, where they both work and soon will be married.
At the wedding, Stephanie will be missing her mother, who tragically died of a heart attack in 2015. Joshua will be missing his father, who also tragically died in 2015. Despite these tragedies, it has brought them both closer together because of this common experience. We look forward to celebrating with you all, as it will be a truly joyous occasion!