Ruben and Michelle first began talking to each other a few days after Michelle moved from Chicago to Champaign, IL to start her doctoral internship at the University of Illinois. Despite not planning on dating during her internship, Ruben was very persistent, and, after many tries, finally convinced Michelle to meet up for dinner because (in Ruben’s exact words) “you gotta eat, right?” He decided to take her to Hamilton Walker’s steakhouse and the rest was history! The remainder of the year was filled with dates to the local farmers markets, malls, and wineries, cooking together, and trying the best food Champaign had to offer. It just so happened that Ruben and his family lived less than 15 minutes from Michelle’s family in the suburbs of Chicago, yet he drove 2 hours each way most weekends to visit Michelle in Champaign and build their relationship together. Michelle moved back to Chicago after completing her internship and they were able to spend even more quality time together. Ruben and Michelle supported each other as they completed their law and clinical psychology doctoral programs, worked at the same tutoring center, and explored their future career paths.

Ruben took Michelle on a trip back to Champaign to celebrate her birthday and visit some of their favorite spots. On January 28, 2023, he recreated their first date but in reverse- starting at a local tap house, enjoying dinner at Hamilton Walker’s steakhouse, and walking around the pond behind Michelle’s former apartment building. Ruben stopped and handed Michelle a birthday card to read while they were standing by the pond, and when Michelle turned around, she found him on one knee with an opened ring box. She happily accepted his proposal, and they can't wait to continue their love story in the decades to come!