Mike and Nina met nine years ago, at a college house party in Adelphi, Maryland-- some time after the cops were called for a noise complaint. Despite it not being their typical evening spot, Mike and Nina talked for a few hours. After two dates, they went their separate ways but remained friendly. Over the years, they continued to reconnect, taking spontaneous trips off dirt roads to places like Emerald Isle and Southern Utah. Their relationship continued during the COVID-19 lockdown era when they embraced the other as their main "pod" mate, exploring nearly every neighborhood in the DMV area together. Sealing the deal was Nina's adoption of Teddy, the Bear, at which point Mike was all in.

Mike booked a cabin along Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland, no doubt raising the suspicions of Nina that something was going to happen (after all, they had gone ring shopping just a few weeks prior). Nonetheless, Mike secretly contacted some of Nina's closest friends to plan a surprise for her. On January 19, Mike discreetly told Nina they HAD to go see a famous waterfall (Swallow Falls State Park), at approximately 4pm for sunset. Meanwhile, Mike was not counting on 3 degree weather, an iced over trail, crowds of people or a fussy 15 pound grumpy puppy demanding attention. Upon arriving to the park, they embarked on a short hike to the waterfalls, where some of Nina's friends surprised her. In a quiet- yet icy- area nearby, Mike got down on one knee and Nina said YES! As an added bonus, they ended up stranded in the mountains for an extra day to enjoy a 12 inch snowstorm.