As told by Steph:

I knew Brett was the one by the end of our first date.

We sat in silence at the table in Umi's after staying well far past our allotted time, not wanting to leave. He was funny, direct, and honest in a way I didn't anticipate. He was also tall, charming and naturally charismatic (as outlined by his buddies a few months later in jest over beers - but I mean yep, spot on!)...

Then Brett grabbed my hand on the way to the car, gave me kind of a sideways curious look, and that was the moment for me. I just knew.

Fast forward through falling in love with not just Brett, but also Olivia and Carter. We waited a good while before introducing them, and they’ve completed the experience of having a family in ways I didn't realize I was missing. Olivia and I rode a ski lift up the mountain one day (just us) and in the midst of unrelated conversation, she suddenly asked why Brett hid me from them for so long? I thought my heart might explode. I'm so grateful to have them as part of my family now. 🥰

Olivia also watched us one night in those early days, giggling like maniacs on the couch over some nonsense, and she asked: Why do you guys laugh so much?!

Laugh, laugh, laugh... watch out kiddo. You'll wind up marrying the love of your life. ♥️

As told by Brett:

I was about ready to take a break from dating when I met Stephanie. Boy am I glad I didn't!

I met Stephanie in person picking her up at the ferry terminal for our first date. I saw her walking towards me, and had the good sense to confirm it was her via text, "Is that you on the corner?". She loved it. :) We went to Umi's that night for dinner because "girls like sushi" and it was a hit. That was in March 2022, and we spent the next few months playing in the mountains and on the river in Leavenworth.

I remember the first time Steph told me she loved me. We were at The Gorge for a Jack Johnson concert. I was playing it cool, I told her that "I more than liked her" and then after some back and forth she said "I love you". So, for the record, she said it first.

What I DID do first was ask Stephanie to marry me. I knew she was the one for me. When I went ring shopping without her knowing, the salesperson at the store asked if she knew I was shopping for a ring, and how did I know she would like it?? I told her that "I'll just get a rock so big she can't NOT like it."

And guess what? She liked it.

I proposed on the top of the mountain at Park City on our 2-year anniversary date. It was a perfect day, the sun was out, there was fresh snow and it was warm on the hill. I asked the lady who rode up on the chair with us if she could take a picture for us, and then I dropped to one knee and asked the question. Stephanie said yes, obviously. She had actually found out I was going to ask the night before when we were flying down – she saw a picture on my phone that caught her eye, and demanded that I show it to her. I tried not to, but we were on the plane and I had no way to escape…so it was almost a surprise the next day.

I'm just so happy to have Stephanie in my life, and I can't wait to spend it with her.