If it were up to Michael to tell the story of how we met, he would say in a library lol. The reality of our first meet-cute was on a phone app called “Hinge”. We both had agreed we were at our last resort to meet someone when we downloaded dating apps. We were ready to meet someone who we could truly connect with and our schedules didn’t allow for us to meet people the old school way in person, at a bar, or a concert. Michael was the first to initially reach out and click on me, but it was up to me to decide if I wanted to initiate conversation. He was the first guy to just say something normal to me “Hi Nicole, I’m Mike how are you doing today?”. I honestly loved how sweet and simple his approach was, so I took a look at his profile and thought wow he’s just a normal guy not trying to be all epic in all of his pictures. What truly sold me was a picture of him dressed as a Sandlot character which happened to be one of my favorite movies growing up. I found out later he hates baseball 😂 and has the biggest love for football. It felt like it took forever for Michael to ask me for my phone number, we had been messaging on Hinge for like 2wks. Once he asked for my number I felt so relieved and he called me later that night. He left me a voicemail and I have kept it ever since. We had our first date at Cafe Nouveau for brunch and ended it at Fluid State with beers. I immediately loved his style, his beautiful blue eyes, and the way he looked me in the eyes while I spoke. Michael stayed true to himself since day one and that’s why we will be getting married on our 5yr anniversary because we fell in love.

Like any newly engaged woman, my proposal was something out of a dream for me. Michael proposed to me on my 34th birthday, a day I typically try not to put much attention too. It took Michael almost 2 months to pull it off. He managed to surprise me by flying in my best friend Stephanie from Idaho and I thought to myself this is what he has been trying so hard to pull off. I distinctly remember telling Stephanie I was putting all suspicion of a proposal out the window, she had to be the big surprise for my birthday. Michael was so excited for me to have my best friend over, he insisted we go out for a girls night to celebrate. I see now how much he was trying to rush me out the door, since he had apparently told everyone to be at our house at 5:30pm. I ended up leaving at 6:00pm oblivious to the fact that friends and family had been patiently parked on our street waiting for me to leave. I had no idea Stephanie was in on everything that was going on, it was a plan all along to distract me with a night out. We headed off to Barrel House 101 in Ventura and about 30 minutes into dinner and drinks, I get a text from Michael that our daughter Lola was sick and I needed to get home asap. Michael profusely apologized and so naturally as a mom I gave him a call and said I will stay on the phone with you while you get Lola situated. Again, I had no idea our moms gave him the idea of Lola being sick, knowing that would be the only way I would leave a much needed night out with my best friend. Stephanie and I paid our bill and headed back home and that's when I noticed my brother Jonny's car in my driveway. I looked over at Steph and said something I wont repeat verbatim but basically said "omg you guys are throwing a surprise party?" haha. I get out of the car, open the doors to my house and almost every person I love was there to yell Surprise and sang Happy birthday!! Still I had no idea a proposal was on its way until the love of my life said "Why don't you walk around the room first and say Hi to everyone." It was then when I started seeing faces from Hawaii, New Mexico, and all over the place that the reality of what was about to happen. As I walked from one loved one to another, my eyes began to fill with tears and my heart was pounding. This amazing man that I am lucky to call my husband next year loves me so much he knew that I would want and need every one of them there. As I gave my last hello and hug and walked over to Michael, he started a speech to say happy birthday and express the love we have for each other and it was then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I covered my face with my hands and uncontrollably cried, never did I expect this moment to happen in my life and here he was the man I love asking me to spend the rest of my life with him, and you can definitly bet that I said YES!