Mike and I met back in September of 2019, when I first moved down to St. Petersburg. I knew I wanted to be involved in youth ministry in the area, so I looked up Young Life because I had gone to club and camp in high school with the organization. When I emailed Mike (the YL area director down here), he quickly responded that we should meet and talk because they were just about to start up Young Life in Seminole, FL. I intended on meeting a middle aged, married guy with 2 kids, however instead it was a young and ambitious, Mike starting up Wyldlife and Young Life in the area!

It may have taken us a while to realize we should go on a date BUT the timing was perfect. I (Katherine) invited myself to go to a Revivalist concert with Mike, his sister, Abby, and some of her friends because in typical fashion it was either go alone or join some people I sort of knew! The night was TOO much fun for me and after some late night pizza and a gracious ride home from Mike, he finally asked me out on a date. From there Mike and I started officially dating! Our relationship grew as we went on so many good runs, watched lots of sports (Go Dawgs and Go Noles bby), brought Mike to plenty of weddings, and did a lot of sharing Jesus with high schoolers. We just realized we loved spending most of our time together and had a great deal of fun doing it. A little over a year later Mike has pulled off the impossible in my mind, surprising me with a proposal! We set up an early dinner and sunset, which I sort of think was my idea from the start because Mike had been incredibly sick all week... However, he was "totally fine" on Friday so while at dinner I asked what he'd want to do after sunset and he said grab a beer at Green Bench (which is my favorite brewery in town). Little did I know, I was just being the EASIEST girlfriend to surprise ever. So after he gets down on one knee and I stare in awe before I say yes or put on the ring, he surprises me with all of our closest people at Green Bench! It was the most special night and I sobbed. If you know me, that means he did a really amazing job and surprised me beyond words!