Mutual need for sobriety introduced collectively Gregory Lawrence Rek and Emily Blakley Starks, however they’ve been on-line pals for 4 years earlier than their relationship grew to become romantic.
The 2 met in October 2018 within the parking zone of a shopping mall in Austin, Texas, earlier than attending a 12 -step assembly on a late night time.
“On the time, I used to be not too long ago sober and seen this candy woman who was speaking to her pals,” stated Mr. Rek. “I approached the group to congratulate and all of us launched one another and talked the place we had been working.”
When Mr. Rek informed G -jj Starks that he was pursuing a profession in public schooling, she instantly warmed as much as him. She talked about that she was a public college trainer who beloved her work. “There’s this distinctive connection between individuals who share a love for public schooling,” she stated.
A couple of days later, D -C, 31 and g -d -starks, on the age of 30, added themselves as pals on Fb and maintained on-line connection, exchanging messages a number of instances a month and commented on the opposite’s publications.
Their digital interplay elevated in 2020, when conferences with 12 steps went on-line due to the pandemic. “As we communicated extra typically, I started to have a look at Greg’s profile extra carefully and realized how engaging it was,” stated G -Jen Starkey.
Mr. Rek was additionally interested in her. “We used to encourage ourselves to stay sober for a tough time,” he stated. “Our profession was progressing and we talked about educating and social justice.”
Starkey labored as an English trainer in highschool, whereas D -Rek was an analyst for the Texas Instructional Company’s coverage.
In November 2022, they noticed one another at a private assembly with 12 steps. “Emily got here in and we locked our eyes,” stated Mr. Rek. “We each burst into smiles and had been so comfortable to see one another.”
They then spoke and agreed to attend the identical assembly subsequent week. And subsequent week. And the subsequent one. Their conversations grew to become longer and extra private.
One night, Mr. Rek requested Mrs. Starki if he needed to take dinner on a late night time. “My coronary heart shook,” she stated.
The 2 shared meals at Whataburger and talked till 3 within the morning about their struggles, battling alcoholism as youngsters.
“You not often meet somebody with the identical life expertise as you at such a younger age,” stated Mr. Rek. Each grew to become sober for the primary time as teenagers, recurrent of their early 20s and once more sober within the mid-20s.
Earlier than he cut up, Mr. Rek kissed Da, I starks within the Whataburger parking zone and informed her that he want to see her once more. “I got here to life from the depth of our dialog,” she stated.
The couple grew to become inseparable. They spent most nights and weekends collectively, regardless of a 45-minute drive between their residences. Visiting weekly 10:30 pm conferences have grow to be an important a part of their routine.
“I already had an enormous pull on Greg and I used to be positive I needed to marry him,” she stated.
Mr. Rek had identified for months that Emily was “this,” he stated. “There was a second one night time in December, after we starred within the hill aspect, and I checked out it underneath the glowing stars and I used to be fully struck.”
Mr. Reck grew up in Bangkok, Cairo and Buenos Aires. He’s a senior analyst of coverage on the Texas Training Company, the place he conducts analysis and gives steerage to public faculties. He has a bachelor’s diploma in political science from the College of St. Edward in Austin and Grasp’s Diploma in Instructional Coverage and Planning from the College of Texas in Austin.
G -Ja Starkey is from Colombia, Miss., And works as an English trainer at Akins Early School Excessive Faculty in Austin. He has a bachelor’s diploma in English from the Texas State College.
[Click here to binge read this week’s featured couples.]
They acquired married in July throughout a trip to Seattle. “We watched the house needle when Greg fell on a knee,” she stated.
The 2 married on March 15 in eleven east, house for occasions in Huto, Texas. Rob Collins, an in depth pal of the couple, who was ordained by US marriage ministries, serves in entrance of 120 visitors.
The couple had their first dance for Snow Patrol Pursuit, an alternate rock music that had been linked of their early courting days.
The consumption included a standard bar that served alcohol – and a espresso bar. “Emily and I clicked over my icy tea latte and her ice vanilla latte with additional espresso,” stated Mr. Rek. “We had been drowning to a lifetime of engagement and love.”
