We met in March of 2012 just before Chris deployed to Afghanistan. After nine months (and one long deployment) Chris returned home. During his deployment, Chris and Mikayla's friendship and feelings grew. On January 23, 2013 (the day he got back in the states), Chris confessed that he was in love with Mikayla, and on January 26, 2013, they made it official! They moved in together on September 20, 2014, and Lauren arrived on November 19, 2014. In June the following year, Lyla (their fur baby) joined the family. They adopted another fuzzy pup, Delta, in July of 2017. Chris proposed on August 19, 2017, and the wedding is planned for July 27, 2019!

Chris had been planning the proposal for MONTHS. He told Mikayla they were just going to Silver Lake over the weekend, the camping spot they go to a few times a year, so she didn't think anything of it. They spent the night at Silver Lake with Chris's parents. The next morning Chris proposed a "spontaneous" road trip to Mackinac for just the two of them. They spent the trip to Mackinac on the scenic route, stopping in Traverse City, Cheboygan, Petoskey, and finally Mackinac. The first night in Mackinac, Chris took Mikayla to Headlands International Dark Sky Park, a park with no light pollution, so you can see every star in the galaxy. They were cuddled up under the stars when Chris asked her to be his wife.