Mike and Stephanie’s journey started freshman year at Lockport High School. Before high school both Mike and Stephanie didn’t know each other since they went to different junior highs, but freshman year is when these two officially met, specifically at the lunch table. From Stephanie stealing some of Mike’s chicken nuggets he just bought from the lunch lady or asking him to buy her lunch is when their friendship really took off. Over the next 2 years their friendship really grew closer ultimately into the relationship that everybody sees today. The summer going into junior year of high school was when Mike officially asked Stephanie to be his girlfriend and from there, what the kids say “that’s all she wrote”.

Just kidding, they wish it was that easy. Over the next few years Mike and Stephanie really worked on their relationship with each other. There were struggles like any high school relationship, but over the years they were able to really understand each other and figure out what both of them wanted in

this life, which ended up being a companion that will be by their side day in and day out.

Continuing to date and both going off to Arizona State University to Stephanie coming home to doing long distance for half a year, to both of the them coming back to IL and growing their relationship even more. It is safe to say after 10 years of dating all the kinks were able to get ironed out and these two were able to grow together, mature together, and mold their relationship to what it is today. The journey wasn’t some fairytale, but what relationship is? The only thing that matters is that today both of them understand each other and what they want in this life. They understand how to be compliments of each other (of course Mike with the rationality and Steph with being the life of the party), they understand how to get each other out of their comfort zones (again always Steph initiating this to Mike lol), they understand life is too hard to worry about the little things. There is not enough time to be mad or to fight, but to only love and serve the one you decide to walk this life with. Fortunately, for them they got a head start on their journey that started way back that freshman year of high school.

The realistic aspect for being together for 11 years really allows you to see each individuals true colors, and to see how people change throughout the years. Luckily, for these two they stayed by each other’s side through thick and thin to ultimately become the duo that everybody sees today.

Now they can officially say “that’s all she wrote” when they tie the knot on April 26, 2025. Hope to see you there!🤍

-The Gypsies