We're Getting Married!!

Channing and Mikel met on a group trip to Thailand! Mikel was on a post-graduation trip with his high school friend Christian Panier, and Channing was traveling after her freshman year of college. They explored floating markets, Buddhist Temples, and a few wild creatures (Mikel ate bugs and held a monkey and a python!). It wasn't until they arrived at the beautiful island of Koh Samet that they really started to hit it off. For four days, Mikel and Channing laughed, played, and soaked up the gorgeous island weather. After a fun-filled week in the sun it was time to part ways––Channing to Seattle, Washington and Mikel to Darien, Connecticut. Channing and Mikel both knew they had just met someone special, but there was 2,000 miles between them. On their flights home, they thought about the incredible memories they had just made, but they questioned whether they would ever see each other again...

Shortly after she got home, Channing ~impulsively~ booked a trip to visit Mikel in Darien, CT. Little did she know this trip would launch a yearlong long distance relationship with trips from Seattle to New York, and New York to Seattle, booked every month. Channing and Mikel explored each others hometowns, met each others friends, and made some incredible memories. They continued to fly across the country every month until Channing moved to Washington, D.C. for the summer of 2017. Channing and Mikel traded cross-country flights for Greyhound busses, and they could not have been happier! Although distance had its perks (e.g., exploring new cities, frequent flyer miles, and that sweet reunion hug) Channing and Mikel were ready to be closer. So after a memorable summer on the east coast, Mikel packed everything and moved to the west coast!! We put everything into Mikel's trusty Nissan Altima and made our way across the country. From Darien to Charleston, Charleston to New Orleans, New Orleans to Austin, Austin to Las Cruces, Las Cruces to Phoenix, Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara to San Francisco, and San Francisco to Seattle, we put a lot of miles under our belts!!

In the fall of 2017, Channing and Mikel started their life in Seattle! Channing entered her Junior year of college and Mikel was eager to begin this new chapter of his life. Channing and Mikel continued to explore Washington and support each other in all their endeavors (e.g., LSAT prep, new jobs, law school, new friends, new pets ~Mr. Pigglesworth~ etc). Channing and Mikel continue to live in Washington and try to take advantage of all the natural beauty around them as much as possible. They especially love weekend trips to Whidbey Island and taking long walks with Mr. Pigglesworth in his stroller. Channing and Mikel will continue living in Washington after the wedding; however, a move to the east coast may be in the foreseeable future.

After returning from a great family trip to Connecticut in February 2022 for Mikel's dad's 60th birthday, Mikel knew it time to plan a proposal. For two months, Mikel worked on his plan for the big night. After multiple trips to the jewelers (including a couple trips with Channing's mom, Kay) he found the perfect ring at Tiffany's. With the ring ready, Mikel knew Smith Tower was the perfect site for the proposal--Smith Tower is Seattle's oldest sky scraper with a rich history of prohibition and art deco design, and neither Channing nor Mikel had ever visited. After hiring a photographer, and multiple trips to the venue, it was only a matter of waiting for 04.22.22--the LONGEST two months of Mikel's life!! The evening of the proposal, Mikel brought Channing up to the 35th floor observatory restaurant at Smith Tower. Channing believed this was just a special event to celebrate passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam and that formal attire was required. After making their way up the gold plated elevator, Mikel rushed to take off Channing's jacket and purse. Before the water had even been opened, or the two had a chance to take in the beautiful Seattle skyline, Mikel dropped down on one knee and asked Channing to marry him. Channing immediately burst into tears--very uncharacteristic of her. In the haze of the emotions and excitement, and as applause roared in the background, Channing and Mikel realized they were now engaged!! The rest of the evening felt like a dream. Mikel and Channing toasted with champagne, shared dessert, and met Kay for a delicious steak dinner. After a night of unbelievable emotion, they came home to a beautifully decorated apartment (thank you Erick and Jenin) and shared the incredible news with Mr. Pigglesworth!! (Of course, he was not pleased because he had been left home alone and the attention was not on him--very consistent with his character...he's recovering). Nonetheless, 04.22.22 was an an unforgettable evening!! It was truly the perfect proposal, and Channing and Mikel cannot wait to start this next chapter of their life together!