Michael and Kelley met at Benedictine College in 2014 through Kelley's roommate and Matron of Honor, Deanna. Although they have different recounts on the first meeting... Michael remembers introducing himself at a group movie night, planned by Deanna, at their apartment. Kelley seemed to not take notice, but the embers of infatuation began to burn and Michael's heart was set ablaze. Kelley, on the other hand, remembers meeting about a month later when she agreed to play on several intramural teams with Deanna and Michael. With the increase in practices, games, and group hangouts, several conversations were exchanged but Kelley was not picking up on any of Michael's hints. However, he kept coming around the apartment dropping off random desserts, talking, studying, trying to plan more group hangouts, and helping with Kelley's research and one of her school projects. She was still oblivious to his advances, and even then began to think that he was interested in Deanna. Oh was she wrong! It took a conversation by her roommates to point out what everyone else thought was obvious! If there was ever an award for perfect first dates, Michael nailed it! Candlelit dinner, hours of endless talking that seemed so easy, an evening walk, finished with prayer in the Marian Grotto on campus. Michael finally asked Kelley to officially be his girlfriend and then asked for permission (yes, you read that right) to kiss her. He even shaved his beard for the date because he remembered Kelley mentioning how she didn't like facial hair. Needless to say she never wanted him to shave the beard again! The couple then spent a little over two years dating long distance before Kelley moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Finally in 2019, Michael got down on one knee and proposed. Now nearly nine years in the making, Michael and Kelley are very excited to continue their journey in life, forever alongside one another.