We like to say we met through a friend (partially true— shoutout Kevin!) but in actuality we met through....Hinge, a dating app. But hey, we made it! It was the height of the pandemic, Micaela was supposed to move to Hawaii imminently but had to confirm if the man bun on the pictures was still in-play (she hoped not). Mark was working an internship and had never dated a fashionista before. And with that, they had their first date at a local park with Blaze Pizza and an attempt to stay socially distanced. After the initial date, we spent the next six weeks (Micaela deferred that Hawaii flight...because of stomach issues...) getting to know each other way too quickly. Eventually, the summer was ending and decisions had to be made. We decided to take a chance (and Mark gave Micaela a golden teddy bear named Maximus as a promise). Queue six months of long-distance dating (and Mark getting over his dislike of FaceTime!) Eventually, we ended up in the same city again. Ever since, Mark has been listening to Micaela talk for hours on end, while Micaela has endured endless car rides filled with Mark’s favorite jangly female singers. Though college long distance, Micaela moving to London for a few months, and surviving moving in together, Mark and Micaela find joys in the small moments - like when Mark buys yet another obscure, gigantic book he *has* to have, or when Micaela insists she doesn’t have money to go out but just bought yet *another* handbag. But in all seriousness, we both think we’re a pretty good match. We love to travel together, we’re both a bit scatter-brained, and now eat Blaze Pizza together on a weekly basis. Oh, and Mark will always go get dessert with Micaela (and bought a Disneyland pass), which always gets him a lot of points. And, Micaela goes rock climbing with Mark more often and is even starting to drink coffee since Mark loves discussing it so much. Relationships are about compromise right? We’re so excited to have you celebrate with us - this website (just like our love story) will continue to evolve. Below are some fun facts about each of us and one of our first photos together a few weeks into dating.

1. How would you describe Micaela in three words? - loyal, dramatic, confident 2. What's her favorite date in the relationship? - Micaela always loves a good shopping date and her all-time favorite was when I gave a dollar for every week we’ve been together to spend at the Century City Mall. It was a classic sight, with four to five bags on my arms chasing after her into the Lacoste store. 3. What's her favorite treat? - Either some froyo, mozzarella sticks, or mango-anything. Probably mango, we have a stuffed animal dog named after it. 4.  What's Micaela's love language?  Words of affirmation. Particularly after a tough day at work, after time spent apart, or when trying on a new look. 5. If Micaela were an animal what would she be? - She’d like to be a giraffe but is a hedgehog in spirit.

1. How would you describe Mark in three words? - sweet, silly, and curious 2. What's his favorite date in the relationship? - probably the Japanese Spa we visited in Sweden. We had to take a boat and walk through a forest in the freezing cold to get there (Mark loved that). Then, there were saunas, jacuzzis (outside! in the forest!), and a cold bath..Mark loved it all. 3. What's his favorite treat? Mark will swear that the best ice cream on the planet is Ginger's Ice Cream, ask him to take you and you'll have the key to his heart. 4. What's Mark's love language? Acts of Service for sure. Mark does so much for other people, so I think he always feels appreciative when someone goes out of their way for him. Examples: when I fold the socks (he hates folding clothes), when I wash the dishes, or when I do a loooooong drive so he can read his kindle. 5. If Mark were an animal what would he be? - a golden retriever 10000%. So fun, so kind, can eat an insane amount of food, and is a litttttleeeee chaotic (in the best way).