How do two souls end up intertwined, creating an entire life and family together? As difficult as it is to imagine, there was a time before Silas (BS). Mike had a very nomadic childhood. He was born in Miami, lived in Deerfield Beach, FL, moved to New York, NY, and ended up in Stamford, CT through his HS years, with a few moves between FL and Stamford after that. Keli was born and raised in Cos Cob, CT, until going to Delaware for college. Following graduation, she moved a few times, but was always drawn back to her home state. In 6 BS (aka. 2018), Keli was newly single, living in Stamford, and so was Mike. Little did they know their paths would soon cross, despite having been connected to similar social circles most of their adolescent lives, and the universe would be forever changed... One fateful day, Keli was volunteering to sell tickets at a fundraising event at the Eagles Club in Stamford, and Mike stopped by to support his friends who were part of the event. From there, a few chance encounters made them more than occasional acquaintances, including the first time Keli unconsciously shared her chocolate milkshake with Mike when they went to Bull's Head Diner after a party. Keli's first thoughts about Mike - "He probably thinks I'm a nuisance." (after meeting) Mike's first thoughts about Keli - "Is this chick OK? Cause she's blocking me from taking a shower." (before meeting, Keli passed out on bathroom floor) Fast forward to 4 BS (2020), when the world turned upside down... Keli escaped to Florida to stay with her family for a few months, working remotely for her company. Mike remained in Stamford, now living in a studio conveniently located by Dairy Queen and spending his days either working or with his family. That May, a Facebook hacking incident prompted Mike to reach out to Keli to tell her to ignore the spam message, and from there, a true friendship was born. The two of them spoke every single day, sending walls of text back and forth, and building a connection neither of them expected. In June, Keli was set to move back to Stamford to live with her friend Holly, and since he was in the moving industry, Mike had offered to help them. Now back in the same zip code, and living within walking distance of each other, Mike and Keli started spending most of their free time together. They would run errands, get food, play video games, watch The Mandalorian every Sunday night, and go on nature hikes (Bartlett Arboretum being one of their preferred locations). That entire summer and fall they became closer, confiding in each other and leaning on each other for support (Mike through grieving the loss of friends, and Keli through her MS diagnosis), to the point where subconscious more-than-friendly feelings developed. It was the people around them who noticed first, and when asked, they both dismissed the implications made. Right before Thanksgiving, Keli had an epiphany about her feelings towards Mike at a friend's party late at night, and texted Mike that she was having a "dilemma". Of course, no further context was given, but Mike asked if she was ok. She told him she was good, and then planned to share her epiphany after they watched the next episode of The Mandalorian. Unbeknownst to her, Mike was also thinking of "making a move" soon and telling Keli he had feelings, but she beat him to the punch. From there, they took it a day at a time, had adventures together in the US and outside, went through ups and downs, and somehow ended up with one amazing little boy, and another little dude on the way, living in Milford, CT. They are grateful to be surrounded by a wonderful support network of chosen and given family, most within a 70 mile radius of where they live, and wouldn't be where they are today without each and every person joining them for this momentous occasion. Fun Fact: The Mandalorian Movie will be released a day prior to the wedding on May 22, 2026. :)