We are glad you are here! Please explore. Love, Mel & Troy

Troy and Mel both moved to San Diego in 2015 - Mel from Los Angeles and Troy from Milwaukee. They met nine months later in an Uber they will never forget. Troy was in the first of his seven year PhD at UCSD. Mel was a trainee with City Ballet of San Diego and driving for Uber in addition to her part time job. Mel's ballet studio shared a back ally with Troy's apartment complex. She had attended morning ballet class and had some time before going to the theater for a performance. She went online and got the call of a lifetime. Troy tapped on the window and Mel hopped out to open the trunk. Mel was still sweaty from ballet class and Troy was wearing a giant sun hat, metallic unbuttoned button down shirt (bare chested), and orange cut-off jorts. He informed her he was on his way to the first annual Darty in Balboa Park - a tradition held by friends of the UCSD chemistry program to celebrate birthdays and Cinco de Mayo. Troy charmingly asked if he could sit upfront and he was polite so Mel felt comfortable with it. They had a fun conversation about how to not be a creepy dude on the dance floor and were in agreement, never just walk up behind a girl and start grinding on her without having a conversation 😂 Mel drove around Balboa trying to find Troy's actual drop off location. And it's at this point where Troy and Mel have differing versions of what happened. Mel received a call from the next rider while Troy was mid-sentence. She politely said "hold on one moment" to take the call. Troy swears Mel touched his upper thigh in this moment...We'll let you decide which story to believe (Mel's 😉). Troy then asked for Mel's number and, after a moment of slight hesitation, she gave it to him. If you find any of Troy's grad school friends they will confirm that he showed up to the Darty bragging about his accomplishment. After the initial meeting they went on a first date to an amazing JMSN concert at the intimate venue, Soda Bar. Fun fact - JMSN was rehearsing a set list in SD that night and went on to record in LA the next night resulting in a live recording of the set list from our first date ❤️ From then on they have spent their days together. Over the last 9 years, they have helped each other grow into the people they are today. They have supported each other through life's lessons, career changes, a pandemic, a move to Wisconsin, halloween costume decisions, grad school and career doubts, late nights/early mornings, hard work, and success. They bring each other so much joy and laughter and have started a family with two kittens - Pip & Dip. They are true partners in life and soooooooo excited to share this milestone with the people that have been a part of their journey!