In August 2016, Ryan was completing a neurology rotation & Michael an emergency medicine rotation at McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mt. Clemens, MI. Ryan recalls seeing "Michael" during a noon presentation (although Ryan did not know who Michael was at the time). At the end of the presentation, Ryan recalls Michael asking a question of the presenter & remembers thinking how intelligent and well-spoken this young man appeared, not to mention how attractive. After working that day, Ryan looked through the dating apps he was perusing at the time to try to "find" Michael, with no avail; the rotation ended without an interaction between Michael & Ryan, with Ryan feeling he would never again see Michael. In November 2016, Ryan was completing an infectious disease rotation & Michael an emergency medicine rotation at St. John Macomb Hospital in Warren, MI. During this rotation, Ryan & Michael found themselves sitting two seats apart at a Tumor Board meeting & would strike up basic conversation, but this would last only to the end of the meeting, after which Ryan & Michael would not see one another again for the remainder of the rotations. As autumn carried on and interview season for residency was underway, Lexi Stavropoulos (medical student colleague & friend of Michael’s and also whom did clinical rotations at the same hospital as Ryan) began to reach out to both Michael & Ryan separately. Lexi told Ryan & Michael individually about the other & suggested that they may make a good pair. Ryan recalls feeling hesitant to pursue the suggestion after disappointments in dating. Michael recalls feeling similar but had a great deal of trust in his friend Lexi and was willing to trial her suggestion. As December arrived & another rotation started, Michael reached out to Ryan via Facebook to attempt making a connection. After several successful messages back and forth, Michael & Ryan met on December 19, 2016 for their first date.

Michael surprised Ryan with a proposal at Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on May 2, 2019. It was the most beautiful spring day for a hike in a gorgeous remote location in the woods. With an elevation of 7,323 feet to the top, the secluded area where Hanging Lake is situated was the perfect spot for a surprise proposal. After arriving to the top of the climb, while admiring the beauty ahead, Michael had a very specific spot in mind where he wanted he and Ryan to sit. Ryan questioned the reason for the location, to which Michael offered no response, rather he continued to simply insist on sitting in a very specific spot. While sitting on some sturdy boulders well positioned with a great view of the lake ahead, Ryan began to ask Michael when he thought might be a good time frame to get engaged. In response, Michael said "well..." and turned to his side, when he pulled out a card and handed it to Ryan. Michael had written Ryan a beautiful note about their relationship and it became clear what was going to happen next. Michael then pulled out small box which he opened to show a ring inside, then asked Ryan to marry him. There were only a few other people at the top of the climb where Michael & Ryan were, but none were close enough to see the proposal. There was, however, just as the proposal was happening, a chipmunk who sat on the rocks near Michael & Ryan who served as witness. Needless to say, Ryan said "yes."

The date originally set as Michael's & Ryan's wedding, which they chose to postpone due to the pandemic.

Michael & Ryan have described themselves as "adventure buddies," making travel and experiences a large part of their life together. They have also called themselves "Patagonia pals," when seen together with their colorful travel Patagonia duffle bags. Experiences were an early part of Michael & Ryan's relationship, with early dates including jumping on indoor trampolines at Sky Zone, ice skating, & a visit to the Detroit international car show. Two months into dating, Ryan went on a medical mission to Guatemala & Michael went on a medical mission to Malawi, wonderful experiences for both, & certainly an early test at long distance & communication skills in a relationship. Just four months into dating, Michael & Ryan shared in a European adventure together as a celebration for graduating from medical school, having traveled to Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France & Spain before returning home to start residency. Planning an international trip so early in a young relationship may have seemed crazy to some, but for Michael & Ryan the phrase "when you know, you know" came to mind & seemed fitting as they planned their Eurotrip. Michael & Ryan have been grateful to explore their home state of Michigan, including Traverse City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Mackinac Island, Marquette, Sault Saint Marie, Munising, Saugatuck, Frankenmuth, Kalkaska, Ann Arbor, St. Joseph, South Haven, Dexter, Plymouth, Tecumseh, Briton, Lansing & Detroit. They also traveled to the Upper Peninsula one fall, making the 6 hour ferry trip from Houghton to Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior. Michael & Ryan have traveled all across the USA, visiting Missouri, California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Chicago, Wyoming, D.C., NYC, Massachusetts, Maine, Florida, Indiana, Ohio & Alaska. The adventuring, for Michael & Ryan, balances the stresses, demands, & sacrifices of their careers in medicine, which, contrary to social media portrayal, their work does take up the majority of their time.