They’re the real-life Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner.
A woman fearing for her life hired a strapping bodyguard to protect her — only to find herself falling helplessly in love with him.
Elise Stevens, 35, shared her story with South West News Service over the weekend, revealing her unlikely romance was ripped right from the pages of a Hollywood screenplay.
In November 2008, the Oregon woman fled from her violent partner with her young daughter, Gracie, who is now 13.
Friends told the terrified single mom to hire a bodyguard, and she quickly sought the services of construction worker Derek Stevens, 35, for $100 per night.
“I agreed to let him help me if I could pay him,” Elise recalled. “There was something about him as soon as I saw him. I felt so at ease despite everything I’d been through.”
Derek moved in with Elise and Gracie, with the mother and daughter immediately becoming “very attached” to their protector.
Elise Stevens hired bodyguard Derek Stevens (left) after fleeing an abusive relationship back in 2008. The pair quickly fell in love and have a family together. Elise Stevens / SWNS
Elise realized she was quickly falling in love with her strapping bodyguard, and soon confessed her feelings. The pair are pictured in an old photo from the early days of their relationship. Elise Stevens / SWNSElise quickly realized she was falling in love with Derek, despite having recently escaped another relationship.
“After being in abusive relationship it’s drilled into you that you will never love again. I never expected to have that again,” she gushed. “He made me feel so safe, comfortable and protected.”
Less than three months later, Elise confessed her feelings for Derek — but there was to be no Hollywood ending at the time.
The loved-up couple has now been together for more than a decade. They co-parent three children. Elise Stevens / SWNS”I told him I loved him and that I wanted to be in a relationship. If he didn’t, I told him that we would leave as it would start to confuse my daughter,” she stated. “At first he said he didn’t want a relationship and we left, and I was heartbroken.”
However, within two weeks, Derek returned, realizing he was unable to live without Elise and her young daughter.
“I’d loved her as soon as I saw her,” Derek cooed in his own interview with South West News Service.
The pair married in March 2009, just five months after Elise hired Derek as her bodyguard. They are pictured on their wedding day with Elise’s daughter, Gracie. Elise Stevens / SWNSWithin a matter of days, the pair decided to tie the knot. They were married in March 2009.
Elise and Derek immediately began trying for children, but there was more trauma for the couple.
“We suffered 11 miscarriages in the first two years which was really hard,” Elise emotionally revealed.
Elise and Derek are pictured with Gracie, Rhylinn and Trask. Elise Stevens / SWNSHowever, in 2011 they welcomed a daughter, Rhilynn, followed by a son, Trask, in 2013. Derek is also an adopted dad to teenage Gracie, whom he has now known for 13 years.
“I’ve never looked back, and I always feel protected and loved,” Elise declared. I never thought it would be possible to have this after what I had been through, but as soon as I set eyes on Derek I just knew. We were meant to be.”
