We met in 2014 in Syracuse, NY, living on the same floor of our college dorm. From the minute we met, we were absolutely inseparable. In almost ten years together, we have accomplished so much! From moving into our first apartment in 2016, to moving to Connecticut a year later, countless vacations, graduations, job promotions, holidays, and birthdays – we have really been able to experience so many of life’s moments by each other’s side. Here’s to many more years of cheering each other on in life’s best moments, and holding onto each other tightly in the worst.

Melissa’s POV: We got engaged on July 3, 2021, in South Carolina. While at the Boathouse in Myrtle Beach, my Aunt Cindi told me that she had entered all of us in a contest with the band that was playing that night. Thinking absolutely nothing of it, and with there being so many people, I was shocked when they called my name. I got up from my seat, and walked onto the stage, having no idea that Mike was following behind me. “Do you want me to tell you what you’ve won?” was what the guy on stage asked me. “You have won a lifetime of happiness, do you know this guy right here?” I looked to my left and there Mike was, walking from the side of the stage and before I could even process what was happening, he was on his knee asking me to marry him. The entire crowd of people (so many people, haha) went crazy when I said yes. I am so thankful to have experienced this incredible moment with Mike, and grateful that my entire family was there to share it with us! Mike’s POV: For a long time, I knew that I was going to ask Melissa to marry me. In May of 2021, I decided that this was the year. Melissa’s dad, George, and I went ring shopping and started making all of the plans. I knew Melissa would want her family to be there, so we decided to plan it for a vacation that we were going on in July. I told Melissa’s sister Loren that I was proposing and she booked her flight knowing that she’d want to be there to celebrate. My sister, Ashley and our niece Olivia, also took the flight down to share in the celebration. I got to Myrtle Beach still not knowing exactly how I was going to pull this off. Melissa’s Mom and Dad had flown down beforehand (and with the ring, so that Melissa wouldn’t accidentally find it in my suitcase!) My best man, Tyler, helped me work out the entire plan, going with me to the Boathouse to finalize the details. When they called Melissa to the stage, I followed behind her and I knew this was going to be one of the best moments of our lives.