Kristel and Mike’s love story didn’t take off right away, but once it did, it soared. They first crossed paths in the fall of 2021 at a dance party in New York, where Kristel’s friend Juliana—Mike’s “honorary little sister”—played matchmaker. Their first few encounters were pleasant but uneventful. Kristel was always jetting off on a tropical scuba diving adventure, and Mike was usually on his way back to a well-rounded life in St. Thomas. Thankfully, they met again during a Labor Day pirate-themed bar crawl in New York City. Mike didn’t feel the need to dress up, after surviving two Category 5 hurricanes in St. Thomas, like a real-life pirate. Instead, he was chatting with Juliana about dating woes when Kristel walked in, fully decked out in pirate regalia, complete with a hat and a tutu. Mike was blown away, struck by how much he was drawn to her at that moment. All he could think was, “Man, I hope this works.” And from that point on, it did. Their connection deepened quickly. Kristel started spending more time in St. Thomas, and what began as occasional visits soon became routine. Kristel embraced the island’s laid-back culture, and the two began tackling life’s challenges together from Day 1. Kristel transformed Mike’s bachelor pad into a home for two, while Mike supported Kristel's scuba career by driving her to a harbor so that she could teach diving at dawn — even when he had to close the restaurant at 2 a.m. Over time, the two learned to balance the hectic pace of the city with "island time", and even managed to explore the underwater world together. By the following year, it was clear to Mike that he wanted Kristel by his side for the rest of his life. He retired from restaurants and suggested they travel to Kuressaare, Estonia, Kristel’s birthplace, to ask for her father’s blessing. This trip marked a turning point in their relationship, as they experienced the joys of traveling together and rediscovering each other yet again. Kristel was once again blown away by Mike's zest for life, which brought new energy to every moment that they shared. When they finally arrived in Estonia, Mike mustered up the courage to ask Kristel’s father, Heimar, for her hand in marriage. The moment was filled with emotion—happy tears and heartfelt hugs—as Kristel’s parents welcomed him into their family. The proposal itself was an adventure in true Kristel-and-Mike fashion. Their engagement, fittingly, happened halfway between the Old World of Estonia, where Kristel was born, and New York, where Mike is from. It symbolized the blending of their lives and the journey they were about to embark on together. Their shared love for travel, which once kept them apart, finally brought them together in the most meaningful way. Their time together had taught them that the best things in life are always worth the wait. On August 31, 2024, Kristel and Mike will embark on the most exciting chapter of their love story to date, and they invite you to join in the celebration of their union. Considering the vibrant spirit and joyful energy on both sides of the family, this will undoubtedly be a day to remember. We can't wait to see you there!