Our story began on Hinge in April 2022 with a simple match. Although Nikki didn’t realize it at the time, she had actually made the first move by sending Mike a rose (something he still likes to bring up any chance he gets). A week later, we met for our first date at El Rey Mexican Restaurant in Arlington, where margaritas, tacos, and effortless conversation made it clear we’d stumbled in to something special. It didn’t take long for us to realize how easy being together felt, especially since we lived only one block apart. We started spending our days exploring Arlington and D.C., checking out new restaurants, and searching for the best bites in town. From nights out grilling at our favorite Korean BBQ spots to slow morning bagel runs, we quickly confirmed that food was one of our shared love languages. When we weren’t eating our way through the city, we were grabbing drinks at Bronson Bierhall, going on hot girl walks, and spending nights out with friends, always laughing, always having fun, and always finding new ways to make ordinary days feel special. As our relationship grew, we spent time visiting each other’s hometowns (Mike’s on Long Island and Nikki’s in Raleigh) and discovered our shared love for travel and adventure, whether it's finding some new hole-in-the-wall, jumping out of an airplane, or zip-lining through a rainforest. Together, we’ve explored Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain and Portugal, South Korea, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico, and most recently Croatia and Montenegro. Every trip has brought us closer and made us even more excited for all the adventures still to come. On Christmas Eve 2024, Mike proposed in beautiful Boracay, Philippines, the perfect setting for the next chapter of our story. Six months later, surrounded by our immediate families, we made it official with a D.C. courthouse wedding on June 6, 2025. We can’t wait to celebrate our love all over again, this time with everyone we love most. On November 21, 2026, we’ll be saying “I do” all over again in a Catholic Church ceremony, followed by the big celebration. We’re so excited to share this day with our favorite people and celebrate the best adventure yet!