"Strangers in the night Exchanging glances Wondering in the night What were the chances We'd be sharing love Before the night was through?"

The story of Nathalia and Mike began four and a half years ago in San Francisco. Nathalia had been living there for 3 months, taking care of two children as an Au Pair in Marin county (across the golden gate bridge). Mike was in his last year of college, visiting the city with several classmates for a school field trip.

It was Friday night, and Mike and classmates had qualified to compete in the “Beer-lympics” at a local establishment. They faced many foes, the French team, the German team, the Australians, but that night it was the Brazilian team that made the lasting impression. As Nathalia observed from the side lines, cheering on her team, her friends began to argue the regulations of the night’s matches. As a self-proclaimed ambassador of foreign affairs, Mike did his best to mediate the situation and arrive at a peaceful solution for all parties involved. Nathalia, impressed by his poise and diplomacy, had sparked some interest in the lad.

At this point Nathalia had only been in the U.S. for three months, so her English wasn’t exactly English. Luckily Mike also happens to be a master of linguistics. Nathalia called Mike over to where she was standing, giggled to her friend nearby, and held out her closed fists, asking him to pick a hand. Mike didn’t know what to think or what surprise might lie in her closed fist. When he chose the left hand, she opened it, and made a “clawing” gesture while growling like a tiger. Mike laughed and stayed with this beautiful and silly girl, and eventually ventured off alone with the Brazilians in pursuit of the beautiful tiger he had just met.

Two weeks later, Nathalia and her friends went on a road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles for the weekend. While they were there, Mike drove up to meet her and the two had their first date. A month went by and Mike visited her in San Francisco. The next time they saw each other was when Nathalia visited Mike and his family for Easter. That weekend marks the beginning of team Mike & Nathi.