In June of 2019, things kicked off at a mutual friend's birthday party just before I was about move out-of-state. Little did I know, that night marked the start of something unexpected. Despite my upcoming move, we kept in contact, and he even took a spontaneous trip to Arizona. Turns out, when you like someone, a bit of distance isn't a dealbreaker. After that, we set a quirky record – never more than 18 days between visits. Fast forward four months, and we decided to give cohabitation a shot. No grand gestures, just a practical move that felt right. Our love story is more like a series of everyday adventures – the kind that starts at a party and turns into sharing chores and deciding what to cook for dinner on a lazy Sunday. Cheers to the last weekend in town that turned into a lasting connection and a shared address!

On December 2, 2023, at Starved Rock, IL, Michael orchestrated a sweet surprise. He suggested going for a walk with our pup, Layla, and it seemed like a regular day until he proposed a quick photo. Little did I know, it wasn't just a photo. As I stood there, he dropped to one knee, popping the question against the picturesque backdrop of the fall's. Just us, Layla, and the falling leaves. I said yes, and suddenly, a simple walk became a memory forever etched in hearts.