Mike and Rachel were both giving the dating app Tinder a try when they swiped right on each other. They chatted through the site for a few days and then convinced each other that they weren't crazy via text. Mike invited Rachel to meet in person for brunch one weekend in the fall. As anyone who knows Rachel is aware, she is not a morning person. As 1 O'clock rolled around Mike had walked to Cafe Benelux downtown Milwaukee and texted Rachel to let her know he had arrived. This ping of the text message woke Rachel up, who had not set an alarm thinking she would easily wake up in time to get ready for an afternoon brunch date. She texted Mike and asked for his forgiveness and to possibly meet later in the day. Surprisingly, Mike was not phased and suggested they meet up for dinner in a few hours, "if that would be enough time to get ready?" little did he know that after that first dinner date he would be waiting for her to get ready ever after. A couple of dates later Mike and Rachel went to go see "The Martian" in Theaters and as Mike puts it, that's where he knew this girl was different as she smiled at him, took his hand and pranced down the steps as they left the theater. A few weeks after their first date Mike gave Rachel some early Christmas presents before her trip home to Ohio for the holidays. One of the gifts was a potato, which was funny to her, but also perplexing. Mike explained, "If Matt Damon could grow potatoes on Mars in poop then maybe WE could grow in to something from meeting on Tinder?" and with that they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend. They still consider their first date as their official anniversary date, 11/29/15, because from the day they met they just knew they were together.

During a weekend staycation at the Pfister hotel for Rachel's birthday she told Mike all she wanted to do was get him a nice new suit. On an unseasonably warm day in early December they strolled over to NL suits and spent a couple hours picking details for Mike's new bespoke suit. When the suit was ready several weeks later Mike told Rachel they should have a reason to get all dressed up so he could wear his new suit, and he suggested they go back to the Pfister hotel for afternoon tea in the Blu Lounge since they enjoyed the experience so much last time. Sunday rolled around and Mike and Rachel were getting ready to go to tea when the hot water in their house ran out! As Rachel suffered through a cold shower in January Mike worried that the day was getting off to the wrong start. However, tea was wonderful! The live piano player serenaded them through the afternoon while they were surrounded by the 180 degree view of a fresh snow fall. Rachel remembers the view feeling like they were in a beautiful life size snow globe. Mike told Rachel there was one more stop before they went home. As they walked out to the lake front Rachel noted that not many people were out and about because of the sudden turn in the weather. She saw some people taking pictures of the frozen lake and commented that they were likely getting some "great shots" just like her friend who does nature photography around Milwaukee. While on their walk Mike stopped Rachel at the mid point of a footbridge and got down on one knee (taking care not to mess up his new suit!) His mind went blank and all he could remember to say was "Rachel, will you marry me?" Without hesitation she said "Yes!" and he popped up to embrace her. After Mike put the ring on Rachel's finger he informed her that the photographers she saw earlier were not just random strangers, they were out there for her! Mike had coordinated with the very talented folks at DeGroot Film Co to capture the entire magical moment!

1.) Mike and Rachel both LOVE tiramisu, it was one of many things they found out they had in common very early on 2.) Both are dog people, Mike has become a great "dog dad" to Bub & Lola 3.) The couple never lived together before buying their first home 4.) Mike always prepares a meal by following the recipe exactly, Rachel likes to improvise 5.) Rachel is handier around the house, she installed the electrical connections in all their new lighting fixtures, removed the old door knobs and did most of the painting in the house. 6.) Mike has an uncanny ability to correctly identify almost any celebrity and Rachel likes to quiz him for fun 7.) Both enjoy word play and jokes and have attended multiple pun slams together 8.) The dishes that will be served at the wedding tell Mike and Rachel's culinary love story, from meals they have enjoyed making at home to their favorite restaurants, each dish is a memory 9.) During the week Rachel is a night owl but Mike is an early bird 10.) Mike fell in love with Rachel after watching The Martian together