Back when Derek was living in San Francisco, fate (and a dating app) brought him and Michelle together. They texted every day for a month before ever meeting in person, and when Derek finally moved to Southern California, their first date turned into four hours of laughter and conversation that neither of them wanted to end. From there, seeing each other became non-negotiable. Even with Michelle deep in training at UCLA and Derek working in Orange County, distance never stood a chance. For four years, they made it work with weekly meetups and late-night FaceTimes. Michelle has since joined him in Orange County for her gastroenterology fellowship at UC Irvine! As time went on, so did their adventures. Along the way, they picked up golf, explored 9 countries and 6 states, and slowly but surely became woven into each other's families and friend groups. From traveling the world to trying every good restaurant they could find, their life together has been filled with love, laughter, great food, and plenty of music along the way. Through long shifts, big milestones, and everything in between, Derek has been Michelle’s steady support, and Michelle has been Derek’s loudest cheerleader. From one simple swipe to a life full of memories, they cannot wait for what comes next!