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Ray & Mike met on the internet. After chatting for a few days, they met for the first time in the Fall of 2016. Frank Ocean's album, Blonde, had come out that summer and both of them could not get enough of it. Mike pulled up to their first meeting listening to the second song on the album, "Ivy." Much to his surprise, when he walked into the house, Ray was listening to the very same song. The rest is history. Ivy - Frank Ocean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE005nZeF-A

Ray and Mike discovered early on that they both enjoy a glass or two of heart-healthy red wine. On their third date, they took a trip to the vineyards on the east end of Long Island, but stopped on the way to meet a dog that Ray was considering bringing home. Ray was sold immediately! Mike suggested that they go about their day and make a decision about the dog later in the day. After a few glasses of wine and sunshine, Archer was home that night and has been bringing them joy ever since.

Mike and Ray have experienced more than their fair share of adventures, both separately and together. On a particularly sunny day in Martinique, they were sitting on a secluded beach alone and Ray shared that he had NEVER been skinny dipping even once in his life. Mike immediately threw caution & his bathing suit to the wind and ran into the water. After some protesting, Ray skinny dipped, for the very first time, in the Caribbean Sea.

One reason for Mike and Ray’s strong relationship is their efforts to support and participate in each other’s passions, hobbies, and interests. Ray whole heartedly and eagerly adopted Mike’s passion for theatre while Mike begrudgingly tolerates Ray’s nerdy tendencies (video games, sci-fi, fantasy). So when Ray insisted they go to Disney World Mike agreed on the condition that it was for the annual Food and Wine festival. It turned out to be a truly magical trip where the boys ate and drank their way around the world - twice! Ray’s co-Best Person, Danny Hutnick, got them the inside hookup and they barely waited on line for a single ride/experience more than 15 minutes. And Ray was able to fulfill a lifetime aspiration of becoming a Jedi Knight, which again, Mike fully supports!

Ray and Mike knew early on in their relationship that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. In fact, they designed their matching rings together. It was important for Ray to make the proposal a surprise, so he ran a shadow campaign and desperately tried to throw Mike off. They spent a week at Disney World together with countless opportunities for a special proposal, but did Ray propose? NOPE. Mike’s birthday? NOPE. Meanwhile, Ray had already been in contact with BFF and Mike’s best woman Katie Hamel for help to make the proposal as special as possible. Mike and Katie’s birthdays are one day apart so it was decided that Ray would veil the proposal behind a standard dinner/night in NYC which just happens to be one of Mike’s favorite places in the world. After a few nervous loops around the Bryant Park before dinner, (how many times was Ray going to examine that scarf vendor...), Ray found the perfect place right in front of the ice-skating rink, got down on one knee and popped the question! They capped the night off in Brooklyn celebrating their engagement with friends, including fellow groomspeople Sam Light and Angie DeJesus, over drinks and a Kim Petras concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CPeHQHAQyo It wasn’t until SEVERAL months later that Mike let Ray know someone (who will go unnamed) spoiled the surprise! Mike gets Best Performance in a Surprise Engagement.