Emily and Michael met at a college dance through mutual friends. He convinced himself that they were going to be just friends and she didn't think they were ever going to talk again. Michael graduated that semester and while he was working his summer job; Emily was in South America. He messaged her and their relationship was born with the thought "Well it would be rude not to respond." After that, they talked more and more until he traveled to their old college town, Siloam Springs, in October of 2019 and they made it official.

One of the couples' favorite dates was to the North Forest Lights exhibit at Crystal Bridges, a museum in Siloam Springs. This exhibit is a light and sound, immersive, outdoor experience. Michael recreated this date on a smaller scale in a friend's backyard. There they had dinner and slow danced on a mini dance floor surrounded by fairy lights. When one of their favorite songs started playing Michael got down on one knee and asked the question.