An avid high school fencer aiming to compete at the collegiate level (yes - fencing IS, in fact, a sport), Michael attended several training camps on the East Coast. One of the many fencers Michael met from New Jersey was on Zoe's high school fencing team (shout-out to Yulia!). Realizing her two friends were attending Brandeis University in the fall, she connected them on Facebook. While pleasantries were exchanged (Zoe claims she was in fact flirting) nothing came of it initially. Zoe thought Michael's sideburns were cute, and Michael didn't really think much of his future wife. Teammates for four years, their friendship grew. Zoe realized Michael was a fellow Art History nerd, and Michael realized Zoe could talk music (and was maybe cute?). In their senior year, both of them were elected team captains for the Men's and Women's fencing teams, respectively. After winning the New England Championships together, running captain's practices (and by "running" we mean Michael ran and Zoe walked at the back of the pack), and enjoying one another's time, the two friends decided they would stay in touch after graduation. Despite the many miles between Chicago and NJ, the conversation continued. After much convincing, Zoe visited Chicago later that summer. On their first date to the Art Institute of Chicago, Michael held Zoe's hand and their friendship began to take a different tone. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place later that year when Michael took a job in New York City and moved to Manhattan. The two quickly began to date seriously and after six years of adventures in NYC and abroad are thrilled to formalize the arrangement.