Mike and Theresa met online in November 2023 in Dallas, TX where they instantly connected over their shared Michigan roots, Mike from Detroit and Theresa from Grand Rapids. Their first date was at Kona Grill for a reverse happy hour. Mike arrived early and had already gotten a table by the time Theresa showed up, running late, as usual. With her quick wit, she jokingly said, “Dang, you couldn’t wait for me to sit down?” Mike laughed, quickly stood up with a smile, and came to greet her with an apology. In that moment, the tone was set, lighthearted, genuine, and full of laughter. Theresa immediately felt at ease, sensing that their sense of humor aligned perfectly. Over dinner, their conversation flowed effortlessly. By the end of the night, Mike surprised Theresa by asking her to be his girlfriend, on their very first date! Theresa, both flattered and caught off guard, shared that she wanted to take time to get to know him better. From that moment on, however, they were inseparable, building memories through date nights, adventures, and time with each other’s families. Theresa introduced Mike to her family early on during Thanksgiving 2023 in Dallas, Texas, where he met her parents, siblings, and extended family. Theresa vividly remembers Mike telling her brothers, “I’m not going anywhere,” and true to his word, he never did. From that day forward, he often reminded Theresa that one day, he was going to make her his wife. Fast forward to March 2025, Mike and Theresa celebrated their birthdays together in Tulum, Mexico. After their first full day on the beach, Mike woke Theresa up early one morning and asked if she wanted to take a walk along the shore to watch the sunrise. Long walks and deep talks had become their special ritual, so Theresa happily agreed. As they strolled along the ocean, Mike began sharing heartfelt words about how much he loved and cherished her. He asked her to walk closer to the water to take in the beauty of the moment, and when she turned around to respond, Mike was down on one knee, on his bad knee, at that, asking her to be his forever. It was a beautiful, intimate moment that marked the beginning of their next chapter together. On March 29, 2025, their love story deepened a story built on faith, laughter, commitment, and grace. Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord" became the reflection of their journey. Mike was sure about Theresa from the moment he asked her to be his girlfriend on that cool November night at Kona Grill. And Theresa found her assurance in Mike’s consistent words and actions that proved his love was genuine. And now, here they are July 18, 2026 celebrating the continuation of their story as one. The love story. The legacy. The shift. Happily Ever Hairston. 💍❤️