We're getting married

We met in the most romantic way possible: on Tinder. In 2019 Michael was going out in Clarendon the same night Nathan was in Arlington, and we matched (so you can't say nothing good ever happened at Don Tito's). It was immediately clear to Michael that Nathan was the only match worth pursuing. Our first date was at PassionFish in Reston, Virginia, where Michael quickly learned about Nathan's lactose intolerance, and made some embarrassing comments about it. After dinner, Michael bought Nathan a drink at a nearby hotel bar, where Nathan's favorite basketball player, Luka Doncic, was playing on TV. Nathan started to think, "this guy isn't so bad after all". At the end of the night, Michael called his good friend Rob and told him he believed he just went on the last first date of his life. Seven more dates followed, culminating in Valentine's Day when Michael (finally!) asked Nathan to be his boyfriend. Luckily that was the only exciting thing to happen in 2020. Just kidding, a few weeks later, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic—and we got through it together, even when we had to live in different states for a period of time. Even in the pandemic we had romantic adventures, like when Nathan took Michael on COVID-friendly trips to Loudoun Wine Country and Acadia National Park. More time passed, and we moved in together in Falls Church, with each growing in our careers and our love for each other (and Loudoun County wine). Nathan supported Michael through his long nights and weekends of studying while Michael got his Master's at George Mason and Michael continues to support Nathan in all of his incredible volunteering with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). In early 2025 we moved across the country to Seattle for Michael's job and have been enjoying our Pacific Northwest Adventures ever since. The most exciting of those adventures by far though was the day we got engaged on the shores of Lake Washington. Now we are looking to take the next step together in getting married and doing what every Millennial couple dreams of: expanding their family with a four-legged friend (or two), eating avocado toast, and continuing to rent. Our goal is to retire where we're getting married, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, gay and happy.