When Katie and Mike first met they could not have been in more different places in their lives, but on their first date (set up by Katie's cousin Vikki) they both knew they found something extraordinary in one another. On their first date, Mike took Katie to a greek steak house (Christos Steak House) in Astoria (where Katie lived at the time). This is where Mike learned about Katie's love for martinis. From there they went on many more dates and Katie quickly realized Mike's knowledge and excellent taste in food. In fact, Katie would always prefer Mike's entree, and Mike being the gentleman he is would always switch with her, and he still does that to this day.

On Katie's birthday, Mike and Katie had planned a dinner with all of her friends, BUT covid had other plans. That morning Mike tested positive and they had to cancel the party. Katie was bummed, but Mike and Katie's friends tried to salvage the day. Mike let Katie know that all of her friends and family wanted to get dressed up and on Zoom to sing her happy birthday. She was touched to think that everyone wanted to sing a 35yr old happy birthday via Zoom. As her loved ones were on her laptop screen singing happy birthday Mike was holding the birthday cake over her while she was sitting. Once the happy birthday serenade came to an end Mike put down the cake in front of Katie and it read 'Happy Birthday, Will You Marry Me?' She turned to him to find Mike on one knee holding a gorgeous ring, she got down to hug him and said Yes! The next day Katie got covid and they both had to quarantine for the next week. That week consisted of them eating the massive proposal birthday cake (a carrot cake with cream cheese icing, Katie's fav!), and they watched endless episodes of Golden Girls.