Michael and Valentina met while studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Brought together by mutual friends, and a house full of golf-fanatics, Michael made the first move at the most upscale establishment on Campus: KAM'S. Between the leaky ceiling and puddled floors, Valentina was immediately swept away by Michael's green eyes, soft smile and the infamous, Blue Guy drink that he handed her. They couldn't stop thinking about each other from that day forward. The rest of their college days were spent making pasta, kicking a soccer ball, squeezing in hazelnut cappuccinos before classes, and bonding over the fact that they both had parents who were hairdressers.

In 2021, Michael was living in Basel, Switzerland for work. Although difficult to be apart. they were both greatly looking forward to Valentina visiting him in the late fall before she went to see her Nonna Lucia in Southern Italy. After a week of eating too much cheese, taking countless gondola rides, and admiring the vast beauty of Switzerland, (all planned by Michael), a special train ride took them to the quaint city of Lauterbrunnen. Here, Michael led Valentina to a gorgeous viewpoint of the Swiss Alps, where he got on one knee and asked the question that would bond them forever. Needless to say, Nonna was VERY happy that Valentina had a new accessory to show her when she arrived in Italy ("finalmente!")