In October of 1988 shortly after the Homecoming Dance took place, a mutual friend introduced the two of us, and the journey began. Katie, a freshman with an affinity for studying hard, singing and all things music. Steve, a senior about to begin parlaying "talks too much, disturbs others" on his elementary school report cards into a radio career. Our eyes met and we both "just knew". We became instant friends, but didn't begin dating until Katie's Senior Year. Side note, our mutual favorite teachers were quite an amazing unit themselves and played a huge role in pushing both of us beyond our beliefs in ourselves and towards shooting for the stars...so thank you to Mr. Jeff Kressler and Mrs. Lyn Kressler for being such wonderful role models (to this very day!). 

Steve attended Katie's events and supported her in their friend group throughout Katie's high school days, and she began her college career at Michigan State after graduating from DHS in 1992. Steve was finishing up at LCC and, after working at WITL for a couple years, accepted a position at a brand new radio station in Bay City. We tried dating long distance (it SEEMED like long distance in the pre-cell phone days) and ended up parting ways in late 1992. It was tough, heartbreaking and devastating, but after a short cooling off period, we decided that our friendship needed to last, even if our relationship couldn't. So, we remained in each other's lives for the next 16 years, congratulating each other along the way on the milestones that we both achieved at work, with our families, marriages, children, etc. In late 2008, circumstances arose that saw both of us single again - both of us in our hometown of DeWitt - and we realized that destiny was at work like it was 20 years prior when we first met. In October of 2009, we got married, blended our families and a year later, we brought a little Panther into this world (now a Freshman at DeWitt High School). There's a certain magic and comfort in living, coaching and just being a part of the community in which you were raised and we couldn't be happier with our "storybook" life (some days it's a Nicholas Sparks story, others more like Stephen King... LOL) and our STORY. Katie has found great success working for a marketing company in Downtown Lansing, Steve is STILL talking (on the radio, tv, web, on hold messages, etc...) for companies all over - including your local radio stations. Our education from DeWitt Public Schools (especially the two amazing people mentioned above, and others) definitely helped shape our futures, and it's great to know today's educators (and some of our very best friends) are carrying that torch. These days, we spend a lot of time going to concerts together (all kinds of music) and supporting our youngest at her various band events at DHS, as well as the students of our friends (many of whom Steve had the pleasure of coaching in travel softball) - whether it's sports, choir or whatever - lasting friendships were made and will continue to be made right here.