In the times of the COVID-19 pandemic during their senior year at Ohio University Stephanie and Christian decided to give online dating a try. After matching on Tinder and talking back and forth for a while they decided to meet for the first time for their first date. Their first date involved going to Whit's Frozen Custard in Athens. They sat and enjoyed their custard at the Soldiers and Sailors Statue on College green and talked for what felt like forever. A few dates later Christian asked Stephanie to be his girlfriend.

Six months later Stephanie and Christian graduated from Ohio University. A few months earlier Stephanie committed to her post-grad music therapy internship at Monroe County Intermediate School District in Monroe Michigan. Christian had decided that he wanted to find a job nearby in Michigan so he began applying for jobs in the area. Three days before graduation he received and accepted a job offer as a Mechanical Engineer for Black & Veatch in Ann Arbor Michigan.

Both having positions in Michigan they moved into their first apartment together in Dundee along with their fur babies Maya and Felix .

One year later Stephanie finished her internship and accepted a full time position as a music therapist in New Baltimore Michigan. The couple then moved into their second apartment together in Washington Michigan. Shortly after moving into their new apartment Stephanie and Christian grew their family by four more paws, an 8 week old black Pug Puppy by the name of Cookie.

Approaching their two year anniversary, Christian planned a week long trip to the happiest place on earth....DISNEY WORLD! Unknown to Stephanie at the time, she would leave as a Girlfriend and come home as a Fiancée. Christian planned every little detail of the trip from the moment they left to the moment they returned including: schedule, transportation, food and shopping. He even ordered a special custom ring box, shirts, buttons and Mickey Ears for the occasion. Somehow he was able to keep this all a secret even when going through security at the airport and Magic Kingdom. They started the day off riding some rides while waiting for the rain to pass so they could get special "Anniversary Pictures" together in front of the Castle. Once the rain passed, they went over to the Castle to meet up with a family friend and get pictures. The friend being in on the plan was able to capture the whole proposal on video when Christian got down on one knee and made Stephanie's dream come true. Stephanie made sure to show off her ring in every ride photo for the rest of the trip.