As often happens these days, it all began with a right swipe on a dating app. Michael’s bio said to ask him about disc golf, and luckily, Gabi took the hint and did just that. Their first date was a sweet one, ice cream and a scenic waterfront walk in Red Bank, NJ. From there, their relationship bloomed. They spent their days playing tennis, losing at trivia, and enjoying evenings swimming, cooking, trying new restaurants, or watching new series. Their bond deepened as they met each other’s families and took their first trip together to visit friends in Raleigh, just the first of many adventures to come. Their travels soon brought them to Chicago, where they celebrated the wedding of Michael’s sister, Rose, and her husband, Joey. During Michael’s job hunt, the two traveled to Atlanta and Boston, but luck was on their side, and he landed a job close to home. That marked a new chapter: moving in together in Highlands, NJ. Though work kept Michael busy, he always made time to come home for evening walks with Gabi and their beloved dog, Oscar. After defending his thesis, Michael officially became a PhD! They celebrated with his family, then headed to Des Moines for another big family milestone with Gabi’s brother, Ben. Graduation season wrapped with a peaceful summer getaway in upstate New York, right before Gabi started law school. After a semester of hard work, they decided to recharge with a Caribbean cruise, hopping from island to island. Michael asked everyone their favorite stop, all while secretly planning his own favorite moment: a proposal in Aruba. The plan didn’t go quite as he’d imagined. After a fun-filled day in the sun with friends, Gabi was focused on getting back to the ship, completely unaware of what Michael had in store. As she snapped pictures of the Aruba sunset from an “Arubus” (yes, a bus), Michael asked her to turn around. There he was, holding a small box. Gabi immediately knew what was happening. With a grin, Michael said he’d propose more formally later. Back in their suite, far from the bus and the crowd, he got down on one knee, and Gabi said yes. Now, they can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you, the people who’ve meant the most along the way.