September 15, 2018* Derek and Mallory met in the modern fashion - on a dating app. After initially catching each other's eye online and connecting through a few messages, Mallory invited Derek to a concert. Bruno Mars was playing in Detroit that upcoming Saturday! They met for a pre-concert drink at Cafe D'Mongos, both arriving early enough to be greeted by Mr. D'Mongo himself. At the concert, they sang to "Just the Way You Are", danced to "Treasure", and ignored the awkward tension of "Marry You." (Too soon, Bruno). After the concert (and meeting the entire Spina family), they paraded down the streets for a nightcap at The Old Miami. Derek walked Mallory to her car and sealed the deal with a first kiss. First date success. *Mallory and Derek have celebrated on the 15th of the month ever since.

January 2019 Only a few weeks into dating, Derek had discovered the way to Mallory's heart - travel! He booked a trip for early the following year, to Costa Rica, knowing she wouldn't say no. Of course, she didn't. In January 2019, Derek and Mallory spent a blissful ten days in Costa Rica. They swam in waterfalls, zip lined through the jungle, ate ceviche from roadside stands, and took surfing lessons. After Derek successfully drove their rental car through a muddy river, Mallory was swept off her feet. One night, in a romantic treehouse villa, Derek whispered "I love you" to Mallory for the first time. Of course, she said it back.

November 2020 - June 2022 When the pandemic hit, Derek and Mallory embarked on their biggest adventure yet - circumnavigating the Caribbean Sea. Derek sold his house, quit his job, and bought a 46-foot sailboat that they named Zenos. Together, Derek and Mallory learned to sail and successfully journeyed over 7,000 nautical miles to 16 different island nations. It was the trip of a lifetime. For as many beautiful sunsets, beach walks, and peaceful mornings they experienced, there were equally as many moments of challenge, seasickness, storms, and exhaustion. They learned to live together in extreme conditions and trust each other completely. Derek and Mallory knew if they could survive 20 months at sea, they could survive anything.

September 23, 2022 Derek and Mallory took a gondola to the top of a peak in Snowmass, Colorado. Looking out over a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains, Derek got down on one knee, presented Mallory with a stunning sapphire ring, and asked her to marry him. It was very romantic - just the two of them surrounded by nature! Of course, she said yes.