Michael and Candace met for the first time at a local cocktail bar in downtown Mobile called The Haberdasher (they'd previously talked via the cell phone app, Tinder). Both ordered a round of drinks and sat in a nearby booth were they talked for an hour or two. Each one will argue they couldn't get a word in! Not wanting the night to end, they headed down to a local jazz bar to meet up with some of Candace's friends. Afterwards, Candace was called on breaking news and Michael headed home. Candace went to bed thinking "I could have just met my husband" but it was Michael who knew. At work the next morning, Michael told his now best man Bobby, he'd met his wife. The next two years Candace and Michel traveled to Texas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama on road trips to visit family and friends and to explore. The two of them have grown together in their Catholic faith, helped each other mature, and learned how to be selfless in love. Candace moved to Columbia, SC for a new job a year after dating and less than a year later, the two discerned they wanted to get married! After much thought and sacrifice, Michael moved his life and career to Columbia to be near Candace. Michael bought a condo near downtown Columbia where the two will live together after they're married. In the meantime, they ask for your prayers through their engagement process and thereafter for a life of happiness, love and laughter filled with faith, hope and joy!

The night Michael proposed, Candace was certainly surprised! But not before she unintentionally surprised Michael first. Candace broke into Michael's apartment (her old apartment) in downtown Mobile prior to going to dinner the weekend of Michael's 30th birthday (she just wanted to change clothes for dinner!). When Candace began walking up the stairs, she saw Michael holding decorations in his hand and knew the proposal was happening (he was supposed to be "at work"). Not all was lost though! The two enjoyed a romantic dinner on the 34th floor of an elegant restaurant overlooking Mobile Bay. Afterwards, Michael led Candace to a patio rooftop of the apartment overlooking downtown Mobile. He set up a table and tent adorned with candles, photos of every month they'd been dating and a beautiful prayer. Candace began crying the moment she started reading the prayer and Michael asked her to be his wife! She, obviously, said yes :)