Eric Penner and Mikala Merey’s paths have always seemed destined to cross. Both were born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. Life took them in different directions for a while, but as fate would have it, they both found their way back home and into the very same apartment building in downtown West Palm Beach in 2021. Strangely enough, despite living just steps away from one another, it wasn’t until January of 2023 that Eric and Mikala finally met… through a dating app. At the time, Mikala was recovering from an ACL injury, but that didn’t stop her from saying yes to dinner at Elisabetta’s, a cozy restaurant conveniently close to both of their apartments. The conversation flowed so easily that night that they didn’t want it to end. After dinner, they walked over to The Ben Hotel for drinks, marking the start of what would become countless unforgettable moments together. From there, everything just clicked. Each date brought them closer, and before long they were meeting each other’s families. As it turned out, the families already knew one another from Temple Beth El. Within six months, they traded in their two separate one-bedroom apartments for one shared three-bedroom, building a new home together filled with laughter, love, and plenty of adventures. Their love story came full circle on Labor Day weekend in September 2025. Eric planned a special proposal at The Breakers Hotel, the very spot where they shared their third date. With their future ahead of them, Mikala said yes. Now, as they look forward to saying “I do,” Eric and Mikala can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter of their story surrounded by family and friends.