Erica and Michael first met during high school in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. They went to homecoming together freshman year in the same limo with a group of friends. Their friendship continued to grow during their time at Ohio University. They partied together at the AEPi frat house, took road trips together to the Columbus mall, and often shared dinner at Athens’ finest sushi restaurant. Coincidentally (or as fate may have had it), in the fall of 2009, Erica and Michael both moved to Chicago. Erica moved to start a career in retail, while Michael moved to attend law school in the Windy City. Their friendship continued gaining strength over the years in their new city. In the summer of 2016, coincidence struck again as the two left their respective jobs simultaneously, and Michael suggested they take advantage of their time off of work by taking a trip together. With a passion for travel, Erica agreed to make Michael her travel buddy, but not without the forewarning “just as friends, Ward!” The decision was made to meet in Portland, OR and explore the magnificent outdoors together. Over the course of the five-day trip, they hiked, visited breweries, picnicked on the beach, and shared a sushi dinner. One Portland night, huddled around a shared laptop watching “Stranger Things”, Erica reached to hold Michael’s hand, and they felt their friendship evolving into love. Upon returning to Chicago, they agreed to share a cab home from the airport, despite their homes being in opposite directions. The moment they found themselves apart for the first time in days, the two instantly missed each other, so Erica and Michael spent every day together over the next couple months enjoying their new-found love. Then, on October 20, 2017, Michael asked Erica to marry him and commit to a life of love, adventure, friendship and sushi dinners. Of course, she said YES, so they will say "I DO" and celebrate with all their loved ones back where it all began in Cleveland, Ohio!