So as a few of you may already know Peoria and McHenry is roughly about a three hour drive and if we want to get technical around 166 miles away from each other meaning the only possible way Michael & I would have had met is through the world of online dating. Michael & I "hinged" together on 3.24.2021 - you are probably wondering if we really had our radius of dating out that far, we weren't both that desperate ... yet. To clear that up, Michael was a real charmer. While visiting a friend out in Schaumburg he decided to change his location on his app, making it possible for us two to match. After a few weeks of chatting we officially met in person on 5. 7. 2021. Yes maybe now you can call Alicia desperate for driving six hours there and back for less than twenty four hours to finally meet this Michael she had met online ( lets not forget Michael is a charmer so how can she not) . She can admit now that it was worth every mile. After that first date the rest is history, and after a year of knowing one another Michael decided he was ready to make the next step...

It all started with Michael inviting Alicia on his yearly family spring break vacation. That year it just so happened to be Orlando, Florida. When Alicia found this out she knew she wanted to surprise Michael with something to do for his birthday the following month. She came up with the idea of surprising Michael to swim with the dolphins at DiscoveryCove knowing it was something he had yet to do. Little did Alicia know Michael was planning to surprise her on this family trip. He had yet to figure out what Alicia was surprising him with that Sunday but decided it would be on this family vacation where he would take the next step in their relationship. At this time Michael had already told all of his/her family about this next big step. Alicia's sister gave Michael the idea of flipping the surprise on her ( no pun intended ). With that idea in mind is when Michael decided when and how he was going to propose. The morning of 3. 13. 2022 comes around and lets just say everyone was a part of this special day. Alicia starts the morning off being gullible than ever thinking Michael has no idea where he is going for his big birthday surprise. Little did she know there was a whole bit of chaos going on. Alicia & Michael get to Discovery Cove both equally excited: Alicia being thrilled she didn't ruin the surprise while Michael is excited a nervous due to the fact the ring has yet to land in Florida. Michaels parents were on ring duty of keeping the ring hidden but due to the joy of flying, their original flight was canceled. Fortunately enough while the two were snorkeling with sting rays the engagement ring made it just in time to Discovery Cove with the help of both sides of the family coming together. At 12:30 it was time for Alicia & Michael to do their dolphin swim. The two got in the water and enjoyed an amazing half hour experience with the dolphins. As their time was ending everyone was getting out of the water when the trainer asked the two to stay in . At this time Alicia didn't think anything of it due to the fact the trainer was a friend and she thought they were lucky enough to get more time with the dolphins. As this extra time passed the trainer had Alicia slap on the water for the dolphin to bring her something special. With Michael standing behind her and the dolphin coming closer and closer that is when Alicia realized they were getting extra time for a special reason. She noticed as the bouy came closer it read " Alicia will you marry me? ". As they were both overwhelmed by happiness they got out of the water and that is when Michael got down on one knee to propose. We both celebrated with a few drinks before heading back to the hotel. Once we got back to the hotel Michael had an even bigger surprise with not only having his family there but he got Alicia's family to be there as well. It was everything we both wanted making it the most perfect day. We both know August 4, 2023 will be even more perfect spent with our closest family and friends.