It all began on February 28th, 2023 - completely by chance, or maybe fate had a hand in it. We met on Bumble, even though, technically, we weren't supposed to. With a 50-mile radius set, it shouldn't have been possible for us to cross paths. But somehow, the universe ignored the rules - and thanks goodness it did. Our first date was at Bonefish Grill, where the conversation flowed like we had known each other forever. We laughed, we shared, we connected. After dinner, we weren't ready for the night to end, so we headed to Crumbl for cookies - because what better way to end a perfect evening than with something sweet? We had an absolute blast, and from that night on, everything changed. What followed was not a "whirlwind romance." Though, time seemed to bend around us - we moved slow and steady, falling in love gradually and becoming each other's best friend. Our story is still being written, one laugh, one adventure, one ordinary miracle at a time. And if the past is any hint at what's to come, we can't wait to see where forever takes us.

On April 5th, 2025, I thought we were just doing our usual monthly date night. I was ready for a low-key evening of dinner and laughs—what I didn’t realize was that Mike was secretly plotting one of the most unforgettable nights of our lives. (Side note: I did notice he was glued to his phone, so my "woman’s intuition" was slightly tingling… but I figured he was just trying to get the "boys" to play COD. Again.) Eventually, we made it home just 30 minutes before we were supposed to leave. I flew into a chaotic outfit crisis (classic), ending up in jeans and a red sweater that I was convinced made me look like a tomato. Meanwhile, he came out cool as ever in khakis and a polo—of course. We hopped in the car, and he drove us to Bowley’s on the Bay. He casually redirected us to the beach while I peppered him with questions, assuming we were wildly lost because the entrance was on the other side. Then he grabbed my hand, asked me to trust him, and we walked on. That’s when I noticed his sister nearby—stealthily trying to record us. Suddenly it all clicked. His hands were shaking. My heart was pounding like a drumline. I cried and said a few cuss words out of pure shock (of course). He got down on one knee. He proposed. And yes—I said “YES!” (Pretty sure I shouted it, actually.) In that moment, everything around us felt still. Every little twist and turn in our story led to this point. And somehow… it was only the beginning. We were surrounded by our families, overwhelmed with love, joy, and maybe a few more tears (mostly mine). It was magic. It was us. And now, we’re so excited to start this next chapter together—with a little less suspense and a lot more laughter.