A mutual need for sobriety introduced Gregory Lawrence Reck and Emily Blakeley Starkey collectively, however they had been on-line mates for 4 years earlier than their relationship turned romantic.
The 2 met in October 2018 within the car parking zone of a shopping center in Austin, Texas, earlier than attending a late-night 12-step assembly.
“I used to be newly sober on the time and noticed this cute lady who was chatting along with her mates,” mentioned Mr. Reck. “I approached the group to say howdy, and all of us launched ourselves and talked about the place we labored.”
When Mr. Reck informed Ms. Starkey that he was pursuing a profession in public schooling, she instantly warmed to him. She talked about that she was a public-school trainer who liked her job. “There’s this distinctive bond between individuals who share a love for public schooling,” she mentioned.
A number of days later, Mr. Reck, 31, and Ms. Starkey, 30, added one another as Fb mates and saved in contact on-line by exchanging messages just a few instances a month and commenting on one another’s posts.
Their digital interplay elevated in 2020 when 12-step conferences went on-line due to the pandemic. “Since we had been speaking extra steadily, I began Greg’s profile photos extra intently and realized how enticing he was,” Ms. Starkey mentioned.
Mr. Reck was drawn to her, too. “We used to encourage one another to remain sober throughout a tough time,” he mentioned. “Our careers had progressed, and we talked about educating and social justice.”
Ms. Starkey was working as a highschool English trainer, whereas Mr. Reck was a coverage analyst for the Texas Training Company.
In November 2022, they noticed one another at an in-person 12-step assembly. “Emily walked in, and we locked eyes,” Mr. Reck mentioned. “We each broke out in smiles and had been so completely satisfied to see one another.”
They chatted afterward and agreed to attend the identical assembly the next week. And the following week. And the following. Their conversations grew to become longer and extra private.
One night time, Mr. Reck requested Ms. Starkey if she needed to seize a late-night dinner. “My coronary heart fluttered,” she mentioned.
The 2 shared a meal at Whataburger and talked till 3 a.m. about their struggles battling alcoholism as youngsters.
“It’s very uncommon to fulfill somebody with the identical life expertise as you at such a younger age,” Mr. Reck mentioned. Each acquired sober for the primary time as youngsters, relapsed of their early 20s and acquired sober once more of their mid-20s.
Earlier than they parted methods, Mr. Reck kissed Ms. Starkey in Whataburger’s car parking zone and informed her that he’d wish to see her once more. “I used to be reeling from the depth of our dialog,” she mentioned.
The pair grew to become inseparable. They spent most nights and weekends collectively regardless of a 45-minute drive between their flats. Attending weekly 10:30 p.m. conferences grew to become a necessary a part of their routine.
“I already had an awesome pull towards Greg and was positive I needed to marry him,” she mentioned.
Mr. Reck had identified for months that Emily was “the one,” he mentioned. “There was a second one night time in December after we had been stargazing within the Hill Nation, and I appeared over at her beneath the glowing stars and was fully smitten.”
Mr. Reck grew up in Bangkok, Cairo and Buenos Aires. He’s a senior coverage analyst on the Texas Training Company, the place he conducts analysis and offers steering to the state’s public faculty districts. He has a bachelor’s diploma in political science from St. Edward’s College in Austin and a grasp’s diploma in schooling coverage and planning from the College of Texas at Austin.
Ms. Starkey is from Columbia, Miss., and works as an English trainer at Akins Early School Excessive Faculty in Austin. She has a bachelor’s diploma in English from Texas State College.
[Click here to binge read this week’s featured couples.]
They grew to become engaged in July throughout a trip to Seattle. “We had been wanting on the House Needle when Greg dropped to 1 knee,” she mentioned.
They had been married March 15 at One Eleven East, an occasion house in Hutto, Texas. Rob Collins, a detailed good friend of the couple who was ordained by the American Marriage Ministries, officiated, earlier than 120 visitors.
The couple had their first dance to “Chasing Vehicles” by Snow Patrol, an alternate rock track they’d bonded over throughout their early relationship days.
The reception featured a conventional bar serving alcohol — and a espresso bar. “Emily and I toasted over my iced chai latte and her iced vanilla latte with further espresso,” Mr. Reck mentioned. “We toasted to a lifetime of dedication and love.”
