Michael and Mckenna first met in high school, through mutual friends and a shared passion for their school’s Visual and Performing Arts department. While Mckenna shone on the stage of the school’s concerts and shows, Michael preferred to stay behind the scenes working on the technical theater side of things. Through friends, extracurriculars, study groups, and a very fortuitous locker arrangement, they became close friends, and seeing each other became one of their favorite parts of the day. In the last semester of their high school career, Mckenna and Michael had both separately decided to go on their class trip to London. While on the long flight, Michael swapped seats to sit next to Mckenna, who ultimately fell asleep and drooled all over his shoulder. This unassuming but frankly in-character action on Mckenna’s part solidified in Michael’s mind what he had not wanted to admit to himself for fear of ruining a perfectly good friendship… he was falling in love. The trip to London was a dream. Michael and Mckenna’s mutual love of culture, art, and science encouraged them to spend even more time together exploring the city. As they strolled through museums and exhibits, they were able to share themselves with one another in ways that they had not been able to at school, and their friendship and trust in each other bloomed a little more every day. They left London knowing very little about their futures, but knew that whatever happened, they would have a best friend for life.

Fall came and Michael left for college in Vermont while Mckenna stayed in California. The three hour time difference didn’t seem to keep them from calling and texting each other every day. Throughout the year, despite the distance, Michael only felt his feelings for Mckenna grow. When they saw each other again that summer, he knew that even though it would change everything, he needed to tell Mckenna how he felt. This was, in immediate hindsight, not well timed. Scared of losing his friendship, Mckenna first encouraged Michael to let go of his feelings for her, but eventually that fear began to dissolve as Michael’s loyalty, respect, and kindness became increasingly apparent to her. A sophomore now, Mckenna decided after her winter vacation to try giving a long distance relationship a shot. After years of their love growing stronger through long distance school years and joyfully local summer breaks, Michael and Mckenna decided to move to Los Angeles together after graduating college. They’ve now been together for over six years and have loved every minute of it. In that time Mckenna completed a master’s degree in teaching at USC, Michael started his dream career working in video game production, and they adopted their scaly daughter, Cocoa the bearded dragon. They continue to chase art, food, and wonderful memories, together in the beautifully diverse city of Los Angeles with their best friend.