Upon graduating from the University of Michigan, Courtney moved to New Orleans in June 2020, when the job market was paused. Stephen also graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University at this inopportune time. Courtney signed up for an Americorps service year and was placed in New Orleans to teach kindergarten in Gentilly. During Courtney's orientation week, she was warned, "If you fall in love with someone from Louisiana/New Orleans, you stay." Little did she know, she would meet Stephen at the bayou in Bayou St. John, her neighborhood, just a few months later.

During their first date, Stephen shares that that day at Bayou St. John on Courtney's picnic blanket with her Trader Joe's snacks opened his mind to ideas. She asked him questions no one had ever asked and thoroughly listened and understood what was happening in his mind. From that day on, they saw each other every couple of days.

During the early pandemic months of dating, Stephen drove almost every other day to Bayou St. John from Destrehan to spend time with Courtney. He worked in a chemical lab with odd shifts but prioritized their time together. They found it easy to fall in love in New Orleans—the food, music, parks, and more brought them close quickly. They had many UNO nights and walks through Bayou St. John, spending hours getting to know each other.

Stephen was nervous that after months of falling in love, Courtney was following her plan of applying to graduate, which may entail her moving across the country, but he was supportive through it all. Courtney's Americorps service year had a partnership with LSU, so she applied without knowing much about the school. She quickly received acceptance into Louisiana State University for her Master of Architecture with a full tuition waiver and teaching position. Stephen planned a trip so she could see Baton Rouge, but it ended up being a no-brainer.

Stephen was over the moon for her and knew continuing her education was her goal, so he moved to Baton Rouge to continue growing their life together. Those reading this from the Greater New Orleans area know that moving to Baton Rouge from New Orleans is a true testament of love (sorry, friends from Baton Rouge.)

Courtney and Stephen made the most of their time in Baton Rouge and built terrific memories. They biked the LSU lakes, became pro container gardeners, were regulars at the downtown Saturday Farmers Market, went to many LSU football games, and even got to storm the field against an Alabama win. They ate many Counterspace cookies (Courtney worked there!), all the crawfish from University Seafood, and Stephen tried vegetables he had never heard of from the Farmers Market. In Baton Rouge, they adopted Bruno, a pitbull terrier mix who fit right into their life.

During those years, they grew into a strong couple who honed the ability to push each other to be the best versions of themselves and learned how to effectively communicate. Courtney learned how to support Stephen and use her student schedule, such as preparing crock pot meals, putting the laundry on during the day, and more, as Stephen adjusted to his new service engineer job. Stephen pushed Courtney to do her best academically, so much so that she was named one of the Top 100 Design Graduates in Metropolis Magazine, won the Dean's Medal, and secured a job relating to her research and passions. They learned that so much of a relationship is the every day. Still, they enjoy sharing mundane tasks and doing them together - especially throwing down in the kitchen!

Upon Courtney's graduation from LSU, Stephen and Courtney moved back to the New Orleans area. They've built a home, community, and life they are proud of. They also added a second dog, Roux, who had been rescued on a street near their wedding venue. Well, Courtney got Roux, and Stephen came home from a work trip to a second dog. They both agree that their family feels complete with their four-legged family members.

It's been four years of scheming, laughing, cooking, friendship, adventure, and love. The early 20s are riddled with unexpected challenges, emotions, and maneuvering of the world, and when challenged, they have built the habit of pausing and saying that "it always works out." So far, it has always worked out, not always as planned, but always better and united. They are excited to celebrate a lifetime of love with you all in New Orleans!