And how very lucky we are. Michael and Kenzie's story started on the stage of Long Valley Middle School. They were cast as co-stars in the 8th-grade play - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Mike starred center stage as Charlie Bucket and Kenzie alongside him as Veruca Salt. During rehearsals, both had a crush on each other but were too shy to say anything. As the play concluded and 8th grade came to an end, Mike and Kenzie focused on sports and building different friendships in high school. All until one December night their senior year when Mike and Kenzie attended the same Christmas party thrown by a mutual friend. Kenzie walked up to Mike, squeezed his cute face, and said "Michael VanHouten!" Mike was lovestruck, instantly taken by Kenzie’s confidence and charm. The next day, Mike sent Kenzie a text - "Hi, this is Michael VanHouten" - Kenzie responded, "Hiya!". Their first date was nothing short of exactly their characters. Mike asked Kenzie to hang out on a Friday night. Well, Kenzie had an extra credit assignment for Spanish class - to make a homemade piñata - and she already planned to stay in and make it on that Friday night. Mike, like the gentleman he is, offered to come over with some pizza and help. That's when Kenzie knew he was different than others - so selfless and always willing to find the fun in anything - even if it was an extra credit assignment. There was no denying their instant chemistry and complementary personalities. Kenzie is an outgoing, compassionate, mover and shaker. Mike is a free-spirited, wildly creative, goofball. They became inseparable, enjoying all the moments together like prom and graduation in the final months of high school. Then, it was one last summer before their "new normal" became long-distance. Mike went to East Carolina University in Greenville, NC and Kenzie went to Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. Although dating 500 miles apart was challenging, especially with Kenzie's lacrosse schedule and Mike's play rehearsals, nothing was too difficult for their relationship. Kenzie and Mike cherished holidays at home, summer vacation, and ECU football games. After four years apart, Mike graduated from ECU in 2019 with his Bachelor of Science in Information & Computer Technology. He moved to Weehawken, NJ, just 5 minutes from Kenzie as she finished her 5th year at Stevens. When Covid-19 hit, they moved back to Long Valley and lived with the Metzlers. In a time when everything was so uncertain, Mike and Kenzie were certainly grateful to be together. In May 2020, Kenzie graduated with her Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and secured a job as a Process Engineer within the medical device industry. Mike, too, followed his creative passion and works as a Copywriter in pharmaceutical advertising. In February of 2022, Kenzie and Mike made Springfield, NJ their home. Between walks in the park, shopping in Summit, training to NYC to catch a comedy show, and boating on the Barnegat Bay, Kenzie and Mike find countless things to do together; including their new favorite hobby, skiing. Kenzie grew up skiing the East and Midwest mountains. Mike tried snowboarding a few times. But, like the adventurous person he is, Mike opted to go skiing with Kenzie and their friends in Lake Placid, NY for the first time in 2022. He quickly found the same love for skiing that Kenzie has. Fast forward to March 2023, Mike planned to ask Kenzie to marry him. He took Tamsin and Jeff Metzler out to lunch to ask for their permission to marry Kenzie. How would he propose? A surprise ski trip to Kenzie's favorite place: Mount Snow, Vermont. At the summit of Mount Snow, overlooking the beautiful mountains, Mike asked Kenzie to marry him next to the trail named "Committed". With the snow falling around them, and 8 years of memories flashing through their minds, Kenzie and Mike made their first memory together on their journey to becoming husband and wife.