Love doesn't always arrive with grand gestures or perfect timing. Sometimes, it begins with a simple, honest sentence - and the courage to hit "post." For Karl and Stephanie, that moment came through a Facebook post that quietly changed everything.

Both living with NF, Karl and Stephanie understand the loneliness and resilience that can shape adulthood with a rare genetic condition. Their shared experiences created an unspoken language of empathy and understanding, turning a few messages into something deeper and lasting.

This Valentine's Day, we're sharing their story as a reminder that love can grow from vulnerability, that risk can lead to joy, and that no one's journey with NF has to be walked alone.

Children's Tumor Foundation: We know your love story begins with a Facebook post that changed everything. Can you take us back to that moment - and what gave you the confidence to post it and say yes?

Stephanie: Karl has social anxiety, but he wanted a change in his life. He made the post "I wish I had a girlfriend," and since we had been friends on Facebook for a couple of years at that point, but never really talked to each other, I messaged back to him, "If you lived closer, I would go out with you" and his response was "Ditto!"

What did dating look like for you early on, and how has your relationship evolved since then?

We texted back-and-forth for a couple of weeks. And then he fell off and was not texting me back. Little did I know how much he really wanted to make a change in his life and decided at that moment that he wanted to quit drinking and went to a detox facility. I was kind of worried about him, but then one evening about a week later while I was cruising through Facebook, I got "poked" by him. I was off work at the time since I had broken my leg, I have a lot of free time and we video chatted or FaceTime About eight hours a day. I was in central Illinois, and he was in central West Virginia, about eight hours driving. It became quickly apparent early on that we were definitely going to have to meet in person and spend a couple days together. That was around the beginning of December. So he bought a train ticket and I told him that just to take the train to Indianapolis and I could just come get him from there. So he didn't have to go to Chicago and change trains. He decided to come when I was off work so we decided he could come during spring break….. he never left. He got here March 15 and we got married April 11.

In what ways has living with NF shaped or strengthened your relationship?

If it wasn't for NF we would have never found each other, we would have never met. We understand each other's physical differences, and we can support each other when it comes to going to the doctor. We definitely speak the same language.

What's something small or every day that brings you the most joy together?

Sitting in the morning and having coffee together and our pets.

What advice would you share with others in the NF community who are dating or hoping to find a partner?

Just Do it!!! Take that risk, don't be afraid and never think you will be single forever.

Is there anything else you'd like to add about your life together, NF, love, literally anything?

Karl and I love our grandchildren and our animals. We are excited for a future together.

Over the years, CTF has shared a number of stories and interviews about love and living with NF, from high school sweethearts Helen & Cole ; to Ken & Erica , who met through an online NF support group, to McKinnon & Brandon , whose story was featured in the news, along with this collection of reflections on dating, love, and relationshipswithin the NF community.

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