Helen: “Deej and I were both busy starting our careers—me as a pediatric nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and DJ in the world of commercial real estate preparing to launch his company, Integral Partners. Phoenix being the small world that it is, we matched on Hinge and figured out that our paths had crossed numerous times in the past starting in highschool at Brophy and Xavier.

DJ asked me out to dinner at Tarbell’s Tavern. I spotted DJ through the window and instantly felt butterflies! From the moment we sat down, something just clicked. We took two hours to order because we couldn’t stop talking—and didn’t want to!”

DJ: “I remember looking at Helen about twenty minutes into the date thinking, “something feels different about her!” The night flew by with laughter, stories, and the most genuine spark we had ever felt.”

Helen: “As the night came to a close, we shared our first kiss…The very next day, I walked into work, turned to my coworkers at the hospital, and said with complete certainty: “I’m in love. I’m going to marry him.””

DJ: “That next week, I headed to Colorado for a ski trip with some friends. Helen and I spent countless hours on FaceTime each night. We shared so much over those FaceTime calls and truly fell for each other…and fast.

In November of 2024, I drove out to Palm Springs, California to ask Doc and Mama Staren for their blessing with the ring that my father gave to my mother in hand.”

Helen: “On the 18th hole of Paradise Valley Country Club, just before our second-anniversary celebration, DJ proposed! Our families were gathered there to witness the moment, and my oldest brother, Eddie, shared his 40th birthday, making it an even more special occasion! I cannot wait to marry my Prince Charming that I have prayed about for so many years.”

As we sit to write this and plan our wedding, we still feel the magic of our first date has not ended but grown to a true love. Our sweet family and friends, we thank God for the impact that you all have had on our lives. We can’t wait to gather on March 21, 2026 to celebrate the next chapter with all of you.