forever & always

We met at the Delaware Children's Theatre: Niki as behind-the-scenes stage, and Michael as everyone's favorite Wogglebug in a "Wizard of OZ"-esque show. Niki noticed Michael right away (and not because of the bug antenna); Michael took a little bit longer. After many conversations and months of patient waiting on Niki's part, Michael finally asked Niki out on their first date. On May 22, 2015 we enjoyed a very awkward walk around University of Delaware, and we've been enjoying awkward dates, conversations, car drives, shopping trips and so much more, ever since.

Since Niki is notoriously difficult to surprise, Michael had to wait for the one weekend a year Niki was away to create the perfect proposal set up: RA Training Camp weekend. On the day of her return from camp, Michael picked up Niki and let her walk into their apartment on first. The lights were all out and candles were burning, and all Niki could say was, "It smells nice in here." While Michael was laughing, Niki went to the dining room table, where Michael had set up two candles and a beautiful hand-carved signed with our initials behind a hand-made ring box. Immediately Niki burst into tears. Michael gave Niki a quick hug, took the ring box off the table, got down on one knee, and asked Niki to marry him. Of course, Niki said yes, which is when Michael brought out our dog, Raspberry, wearing a cute white dress with flowerbuds! (Camp weekend also happened to coincide with the 2017 solar eclipse, which means our engagement is literally celestial.)