In 2021, Sydney moved to Michigan, sight unseen, not knowing a soul. In an effort to meet people, Sydney downloaded Bumble. Less than 48 hours after matching with Michael, she wasted no time and asked him on a date to the Henry Ford Museum. A date to the museum quickly turned into one that lasted almost all day as each of them brought up ideas to extend the date. Less than a week after their first date, Sydney drove home to MD to visit family. Michael offered to talk with her on the phone as she drove home, little did she know he would talk with her for the ENTIRE 10 hour drive. The two quickly became inseparable. During 2022, Sydney and Michael experienced so much together. They went on over ten trips, including a road trip to Minnesota to see Christmas lights and a family trip to Colorado that Michael was brave enough to join, their first of many baseball games, and their offer to buy their first house was accepted!

While scribbling down their 2024 wishes on pieces of confetti in Times Square during their New Year's trip to New York, Michael wrote only one wish. For Sydney to Say Yes in 2024. When Sydney later asked Michael to join her on her work trip to Europe, Michael wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. Months of planning and behind-the-scenes communication with photographers from across the world all culminated on September 21st, 2024. Exactly 28 months following their very first date, Michael and Sydney awoke in the heart of the City of Love. They spent the day touring the Palace of Versailles, while Sydney took in the beauty of the extravagant gardens, and Michael took in the beauty of who he had hoped would become his future wife. They returned to the city, set out to walk the banks of the River Seine before finishing up the night with a picnic at the Eiffel Tower. As they walked the River Banks, Michael led Sydney to a scenic spot before dropping to one knee and asking her to spend the rest of her life with him. They didn’t get to have their picnic that night, but they did get photos and memories that will last a lifetime.