Michelle and Ariel met at the end of summer 2021. Their first date was at a ramen restaurant in the heart of Chinatown, Chicago. A few days later, Michelle was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer. On their second date, she hesitantly shared this news unsure of how Ariel would respond. Not knowing what the future held, they both trusted in the Lord to heal Michelle and guide their relationship. The Lord was (and continues to be) faithful in this! After 2 years of dating at a distance (from Rockford to Chicago - about an hour and a half), Ariel moved to Chicago to be closer to Michelle. Their relationship grew, and the time came for him to ask her to marry him. The right moment came in February of 2023 while Ariel and Michelle visited friends in Tennessee. The rest is history in the making as they prepare to say "I do!" this November!