Michael & Jordan met for the first time back in August of 2013 in their Graphic Design class at College of DuPage. The class was small, the teacher was very dry, and most of the kids kept to themselves due to the late afternoon start-time. Both of the two instantly assumed that the class was going to be rather unenjoyable. However, a few weeks into the semester they found themselves to be computer buddies, sitting next to one another in the computer lab. The friendship that soon blossomed between them suddenly made coming to class so much more enjoyable. They shared in so many laughs as the semester progressed and always looked forward to seeing one another each day.

Eventually, December rolled around that semester and the two shared a bittersweet goodbye before parting ways, thinking that was the last they would be seeing one another. Just a few short hours after saying goodbye, Mike decided he wasn't about to let such a great friend disappear so easily. He reached out via their school email and contacted Jordan in hopes that the two could stay friends. Unfortunately for him, Jordan didn’t check her student email at all over the course of winter break. She eventually discovered said email just days before spring semester started back up. She was immediately overjoyed, for she too had been sad to have lost such a great friend. The two immediately reconnected and began catching one another up on the things that had been going on in their lives.

Mike and Jordan stayed in contact all throughout the spring and summer, despite no longer having any classes together. Although they didn't get to see one another in person at all during that time, they kept each other updated and just enjoyed talking together as great friends. Surprisingly, the two felt that the time away only made them grow closer still. Because they didn’t get to see one another in person, they felt as though they got to know one another on a much more personal level through all the emails and texts sent back and forth. Although we don’t always see it at first, God always has a plan.

In August of 2014, they were finally reunited in another class at school. Despite almost a year apart, the two picked back up where they had left off as if no time had passed at all. Throughout that fall, the two grew closer and closer. While they had always been good friends, that semester they grew to became one another's very best friend. They were in contact constantly, never going one day without talking to one another. Anyone who had classes with them could definitely confirm: Jordan and Mike were never seen walking the halls of College of DuPage without the other.

Throughout the semester, everyone Jordan and Mike knew insisted that they were a couple. The two always laughed it off, insisting they didn’t feel that way about the other. However, at the very end of the year, suddenly things changed. On December 18th, 2014 the two went on their very first date together at the Morton Arboretum for the Illumination lights display. It was a magical evening under the beautiful lights, and by the end of the night the two realized they could no longer deny the feelings that had been hidden there all along. On January 3rd, 2015, while they were out for breakfast at the restaurant George’s, Michael asked Jordan to officially be his girlfriend...and then the rest was history.

Michael and Jordan enjoyed almost three wonderful years together, their love for one another growing stronger with each and every day. They went on amazing trips together. They were there for one another during some of the hardest times. They shared in laughs every single day. They even got their own place and moved in together in February of 2017. Eventually, Mike knew it was time. One Saturday, after an afternoon full of reliving memories from their early years, Michael took Jordan back to the Morton Arboretum for their Illumination lights display. On November 18th, 2017, at the location where they had their very first date together, under all the dazzling lights, underneath their favorite crystal chandeliers display, amongst Jordan’s entire family...Michael Richard Donelson asked Jordan Rachele Gembara to marry him. And she said yes, but of course.