While Michelle was a medical student at Wright State and Joel was working nearby on Wright Patterson Air Force Base, we went out for our first date- pizza and beers at Old Scratch. We quickly hit it off and had so much fun we decided to continue the night with drinks and conversation at the nearby dive bar even though it was a weeknight. Over the course of a year full of laughs and good food (Joel always picking out a fun new dessert to try and Michelle always happy to eat dessert), we fell in love and when it was time for Michelle to Match for residency, Joel was down to join for the adventure! We moved to Cleveland and grew closer and closer over the next few years, enjoying the big things like fun vacations, celebrating Joel’s completion of his master’s program, and adopting our cat, Kiwi, together. But most of all, becoming best friends who both make each other laugh and support each other through the tough stuff. On Valentine’s Day a few months shy of our 4-year anniversary, Joel popped the question on a romantic stroll through Central Park and Michelle said yes!