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March 6, 2020
Gilbert, Arizona
#BetterwiththeBovas

Chelsey & Michael

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We are finally getting married!

Michael Bova

and

Chelsey Anderson

#BetterwiththeBovas

March 6, 2020

Gilbert, Arizona

The Proposal

July 28th 2018

Our proposal wasn’t as clean and coordinated like they show in a Hollywood. Like any great adventure, challenges can come from every which way. Timing, baggage claim, and airport security played key roles in our story. So, lets begin... It was imperative to Mike to make a life changing memory in his hometown of Buffalo, NY. Wanting to show Chelsey there was more than just -19 degrees, snow, and outdoor curling rinks. Going through the security gate, Mike was asked to have his carry on double checked. The ring came up suspicious on the screen so Mike had to have the guy hurry his search without letting Chelsey know. He was congratulated from Phoenix Sky Harbor security and moved along. Luckily, the ring was safely kept with him as when we arrived in Buffalo...our baggage was put on an airplane headed to Philadelphia! Naturally, Mike was yelling at the staff and Chelsey calmed him down. It would be another 36 hours of going to live music with Mike's friends and walks along the Canalside downtown, and eating true chicken wings to make this appear to Chelsey as just another trip. One of Mike's best friends Steve, aka the proposal photographer, had been in secret planning for months with Mike to take Chelsey somewhere unforgettable to pop the question. With Steve doing some secret scouting for the perfect location, they together had the destination, but a last second change during the hike felt right. Mike didn't want a restaurant or park or stadium that could be closed down or demolished at any time. He wanted a natural location outdoors that could stand the test of time for thousands of years and would always be there throughout their family legacy as to always be able to come back to that place. The pictures can't do justice for the magically moment. Timing was perfect as no other hikers were in the area when Mike waited for Chelsey to turn around, kneeling with ring in hand to ask the question he had been waiting to ask for 2 years...

How We Met

October 2015

Our first time ever hanging out was in October 2015 with work friends for the World Series with the Mets. Mike's eyes were opened to the good, the bad, and the crazy that was Chelsey. There were cheers, crude jokes, tears of defeat, and swearing under her breathe about the bandwagon Royals chick at the bar. Mike knew a spark had ignited that he needed to pursue. In the months that followed, between Pei Wei and sushi lunch dates and late night happy hour dinners, the two began their close friendship. It blossomed to where Chelsey picked Mike up at the airport at midnight the day after Christmas, hanging out New Years Day, and Mike having Chelsey over on Valentines Day to simply eat Chinese food and watch crappy made for TV movies. All while laughing the entire night together. St. Patricks Day holds a special place in their relationship as it was the night Chelsey realized what Mike had known for months. There was something unique about their relationship. Mike had fallen for her smile, hilarious personality, and determination for success. While Chelsey was taken by his charisma, quick wit, and devotion to making her feel safe and supported. The next evening they had "the talk" to determine where they stood. As the cliché goes, it was a fairy tale in the making moving forward. Trips to Sedona and Flagstaff, dinner dates downtown, to the ever important meeting of her best girl friends and meeting the boys. Mike traveled an hour into the desert to pick up her two best friends after a Groupon sky diving session during their first visit to suck up. While Chelsey battled her fear of flying by going 2,700 miles from Arizona to the Dominican for Mike's friends wedding. It was at times "annoyingly" evident the love the two shared for each other. The couple wanting to support each others family and inner circle as much as they could to prove the relationship was here to stay. The search to find one another was over. Now onto the journey for happy ever after.

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For all the days along the way
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