Back when Derek was living in San Francisco, fate (and a dating app) brought him and Michelle together. They texted every day for a month before finally meeting in person—but Derek couldn’t wait any longer. He drove over an hour from Orange County just to see her in LA. Their first date lasted four hours, filled with laughter and easy conversation, and from that moment on, they saw each other every week. Even when Michelle was in training as a physician at UCLA and Derek was working full-time in Orange County, they never let distance get in the way. For three years, they made time for weekly meetups, late-night FaceTimes, and endless shared boba runs. Over time, their adventures grew. Together, they picked up hobbies like golfing, and they’ve explored 7 countries and 5 states side by side. From family trips to Taiwan to becoming part of each other’s friend groups, they built a life together—full of love, laughter, and a whole lot of good food. They also love going to concerts together and making memories through music. Through long shifts and big milestones, Derek has been Michelle’s unwavering support through residency, and Michelle has been Derek’s biggest cheerleader through every chapter. From a simple swipe to a life full of memories, they can’t wait to see what’s next—together.