Stephanie was a young newspaper reporter; Steve was a long-time photo editor at the Visalia Times-Delta newspaper. In early April 2014, Stephanie interviewed for a reporter position at the Visalia Times-Delta. She had to interview with all of the editors at the newspaper. When Stephanie was interviewed by Steve, she thought he was handsome and she loved his dry humor and sarcasm. Stephanie was hired as a reporter and a few days in, Steve invited her and other co-workers to a Visalia Rawhide baseball game.

Stephanie and Steve went on several assignments together. The two eventually started dating. Their first date was at the Paso Robles vineyards.

Stephanie and Steve eventually moved to the Bay Area. Steve moved to Fremont and Stephanie to Novato. Steve was taking full-time care of his mom, Merilyn, who had Alzheimer's and Stephanie was a reporter at the Marin Independent Journal newspaper. The couple spent every weekend together. They spent a lot of time with Merilyn. They loved watching her favorite shows and listening to music with her. A tradition became taking Merilyn to San Francisco's Union Square Christmas tree, followed by Ghiradelli Square for ice cream. She also loved going with Steve and Stephanie to pick out pumpkins each fall.

Realizing that newspapers are dying, Stephanie transitioned into becoming a special education teacher for San Francisco Unified School District in 2018. Steve was very supportive of Stephanie as she changed career paths, went through her credentialing program, and studied for credentialing tests.

Stephanie and Steve have always loved spending time with one another's families and just being together. Whether with family, friends, or just the two of them, they found themselves regularly smiling and laughing.

The pair has spent A LOT of their time going to baseball games. Steve taught Stephanie all about baseball early in their relationship. He is a diehard San Francisco Giants fan and she is an Arizona Diamondbacks fan. But they still make it work.

Starting around this time, Stephanie realized she wanted to spend the entirety of her life with Steve. She started waiting for Steve to propose to her.

And as the couple continued exploring and spending their days together, Stephanie found herself waiting.

And waiting.

And waiting.

Steve and Stephanie had never been happier. The two talked about everything together. They were best friends.

Stephanie, born and raised in Southern California, loved when Steve went down to spend time with her family.

During the rise of Covid, Stephanie and Steve made the best of the bad situation. The two bought bikes and started biking together. And with Stephanie then teaching online, with distance learning, she loved working from Steve's house.

At Stephanie's best friend's wedding.

The couple loves spending the holidays together. To Steve's annoyance, Stephanie loves buying matching pajamas and outfits for them.

In spring 2022, Steve told Stephanie that he wanted to take a trip with her. The couple decided to travel to Maui.

In October, Stephanie and Steve traveled to Maui.

The couple enjoyed watching the sunset while sitting on the beach, attending a luau and more.

The couple loved their day spent traveling the Road to Hana.

They spent an entire day exploring Lahaina.

Stephanie got the surprise of her life when while having professional photos taken with Steve on Po'olenalena Beach, Steve got down on one knee and proposed to her.

Though wanting it to happen, Stephanie did not know it was coming!

The couple took a year to enjoy being engaged before thinking about wedding planning.

Stephanie, of course, bought matching Tommy Bahama pajamas for her and Steve for Christmas.

Celebrating Stephanie's birthday while cruising the San Francisco Bay.

Steph's birthday gift to Steve was racing a Nissan GTR at Sonoma Raceway.

Ringing in the 2024, the year of their union, with friends.

Merilyn Fujimoto passed on this day. Steve and Stephanie mourn her loss. She had a rich life and much love in her later years due to the love given by Steve and her family. She will be remembered by Steve, Stephanie and family for her big smile, her easy laugh and her love for the Oakland A's. Stephanie will pay tribute to Merilyn on her wedding day by including a memorial pin dedicated to Merilyn on her bouquet.

As the couple plans and preps for their big day, they make sure to make time for one another and for hanging out with friends and family.