After years of her corporate travel lifestyle, Michelle finally decided to acquire an address (or rather the Pandemic wasn't going away and she exhausted the good will of those with permanent housing). Without much knowledge of the city, she felt a calling towards Atlanta. A bunch of small things started to line up in a way that caused her (not particularly religious) mother to say "I think God is telling you to go there." In late October 2020, Michelle finally unpacked the boxes that had been collecting dust in storage. Shortly thereafter, she met Constantine (Atlanta native) during a Young Adult (YAL) event at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral packing food for the homeless; honestly neither of them thought much of it at the time. The following Fall, they both joined the Adult Dance Group at the church. The first spark occurred when they became dance partners. Around that time Constantine found out Michelle didn't have a car and offered to pick her up for church & dance practice as it was "on his way" (plot twist: it definitely was not). It was during these rides that their friendship truly started to blossom. As they both began to get more involved in the church ministries and Greek dance, it just started to 'click.' After Greek Festival 2022, a late night invite to dance at Johnny's (thanks Lea) eventually led to the first actual date. A couple more months and they were official. God's hand has been, and will be, in every chapter of their story.

Constantine accomplished the impossible and actually managed to surprise Michelle... After a last minute curveball caused him to reschedule the proposal to the evening, Constantine offered to cook Michelle dinner before she left for a long week of work travel. He reprised one of the first dishes he made for her: "Marry Me Chicken". Following a delicious meal complete with a bottle of wine and a few candles, they discussed many of the highs and lows of their journey over the prior year - all the laughter and tears that led to the current moment. He brought her to a pumpkin he had given her earlier in the evening where he had (unbeknownst to her) placed the ring. More tears and laughter ensued. We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in Atlanta!