Victoria and I met on a church retreat where she beat me in a game of Catan. The next time we spoke wasn't until that summer in Drake park. She was studying for grad school and I was playing volleyball. This next time I saw her I knew I had to say hi and get to know her so I formally introduced myself and we talked about what she was studying. She showed me pictures of the brain and I pretended to know something about it to try and impress her. She acted impressed even though only half of what I was saying was right. From then on she would always oblige me when I wanted to have a conversation about what she was studying or what new things were happening in her life. We continued to get to know each other through Westside church where we volunteered together for 2 years with the Middle School Youth. Towards the end of our season of volunteering, she told me she got a job in Salem after school and would be moving. Of course, I couldn't let her go without at least seeing if she liked me (Her learning chess to spend time with me and always approaching me for advice and conversation weren't obvious enough for me) so I asked her to coffee. Our few coffee dates went well so we decided to begin dating as she was moving away. It was difficult knowing we would have to date at a distance but we knew each other well enough it was worth it to see if we could go the distance together. Fast forward through 2 years of laughing, crying, vulnerability, safety, and love and we decided both of our lives would be less meaningful without the other. I asked her to marry me on a hiking trail that connected many of our most cherished memories and the rest, they say, is history. Victoria and I would love if all of you could make it to our wedding on April 11th, 2026 to continue writing our history with us. With love, Michael and Victoria.