We met the traditional way for 2017 - online. Michael immediately knew Ruby was someone special. She intrigued him with her clever wit and endearing moxie. Michael wooed Ruby with his kindness and his piano and saxophone skills. He even impressed Ruby’s mom when he recommended a slick jazz club for them to check out when they were visiting family in Chicago. The relationship was new, but Ruby’s mom called it when she said, “I think this might be my son-in-law!” The universe knew we were meant to be, but our busy lives got in the way and we lost contact with each other. Thankfully, love is patient and timing is everything. In July of 2019, we were both back on dating websites and matched again. Ruby was in Oaxaca, Mexico, with teacher colleagues when she got the "IT'S A MATCH!" notification. That day, she visited La Piedra De Amor (The Love Rock) in an underground tomb in ancient Zapotec ruins. Legend has it that any woman who touches the rock will find the love of her life within three years. Five minutes after emerging from the tomb, Ruby got a message from Michael asking to reconnect. It was written in the Zapotec stars! Flash forward to March 2020: We quarantined together at the beginning of the pandemic for what we thought would be two romantic weeks sheltering in place in Ruby's tiny basement apartment. Two weeks turned into six months of seeing no one but each other, playing countless games of gin rummy, and falling more deeply in love. Transforming one room into both an engineer’s office and an elementary school classroom taught us how much we can support and depend on each other. We quickly knew that we would spend the rest of our lives together. We have since raised a litter of kittens, moved to a slightly bigger apartment, and shared our love of traveling and picnics in beautiful landscapes. Michael has been expanding his repertoire of delicious meals, and Ruby has been teaching him about the magic of crystals, plants, and yoga. We feel so fortunate to have found each other. Michael admires Ruby’s passionate nature and devotion to family. Ruby is enamored with Michael's patience and boundless generosity with his time and love. Michael proposed by leading Ruby to a Maypole that he built in the middle of a lupine super bloom on May 1st, 2021. He knew that May Day is Ruby’s favorite day of the year because she loves the traditional celebration of spring and the movie Maytime. We are so excited to get married this May in the heart of an old growth redwood grove. We want to share this day with our family and friends, surrounded by the ancient giants of the forest to symbolize the connection between our love and the timeless energy of the universe.