After moving to Saline, MI, Michelle began riding horses at the Iraola's home farm. Michelle immediately developed a great friendship with Andrew's sister Nicole. While Michelle's eyes wandered to Nicole's older brother Andrew, Nicole had made it clear that her brother was off-limits. Much to Nicole's dismay, Andrew's affection towards Michelle grew and the two began to date. For most of high school, the two were inseparable, even attending senior prom together. After high school, the two parted ways and went to college in different parts of the state. They reunited in 2010 after Andrew attended Michelle's Halloween party at Michigan State. The two reconnected and have been together ever since <3

Michelle had been taking Spanish classes for fun and to better connect to Andrew's family. She had one last class, but Andrew showed up outside the building dressed in a button down shirt and asked her to skip class so they could spend time together before she left for a family trip. Michelle brushed off Andrew's request, but while walking down the hallway to her class she realized, he was up to something. She then ran out of the building and found Andrew on the street. They had martinis at a local bar and then headed back to their house in DuPont Circle for dinner. Andrew had bought steak and champagne. Michelle thought that this may be the night, but as soon as they returned Andrew changed from his button down into a tank top to grill. She then thought that this all may be just a sweet gesture to cherish their time together before her going away - something Andrew often did. After the meal, Andrew said that he had ordered dessert to the house and left to retrieve it. Ordering dessert is out of the couples norm, but given how festive the night had already been Michelle thought nothing of it. Andrew entered the living room and handed her the bag. He said, "See how the dessert looks". She opened it, not knowing he had switched out the item for the ring box. As she opened it he got down on one knee. Michelle's responce was "Yes, a million times yes!"