We’re getting married!

Alex and Michaela meet one fall weekend at NC State University. Michaela is visiting from UNCW with a group of college friends and ends up at none other than the infamous Farmhouse. The group of girls spend the weekend in Raleigh, hanging out with the fraternity, tailgating, and going to their first college football game. Alex is talking to one of Michaela’s friends and bumps his fraternity brother to “switch with him.” Little does he know, Michaela has a boyfriend at the time. Long story short, he shoots his shot and is shot down. Fast forward 2 years…. Michaela is now at UNC Chapel Hill. Alex is living in Raleigh for work. Let’s just say a certain dating app is popular at the time, they “match” with each other, and find themselves meeting at a Mexican restaurant and catching up on life. The 1st date leads to a 2nd date for a Turnpike Troubadours concert at Lincoln Town Theater and Alex shows Michaela around Raleigh, including a stop at a Raleigh classic - “Char-Grill.” Over hamburgers and hotdogs, they quickly learn that they have a lot in common. They share a birthday 3 years apart, share a first instrument of the violin, both play the guitar, their mothers have June birthdays (a day apart from each other), and they both share a love of music. They also quickly learn to agree to disagree when it comes to their collegiate affiliations. Needless to say, Michaela and Alex quickly hit it off. Within 1 month of dating her, Alex attends a UNC A cappella concert at his least favorite place on earth and unexpectedly meets Michaela’s family. In November, Alex takes Michaela to his family’s Thanksgiving at their family farm and suddenly introduces her as his official girlfriend. Christmas comes around, ice skating adventures are had, family Christmases are enjoyed with both families, and Alex and Michaela ring in 2017 together. Now comes the classic dramatic turn of events that is part of every great love story. Two months into their relationship, Alex moves into a sales position with his company and is told that his position will be in upstate New York. Many plane trips and road trips occur (including a 12 hour road trip with Alex’s parents whom Michaela had met only a handful of times). Countless texts, FaceTimes, and phone calls are exchanged. Close to a year and half goes by and Alex is blessed with a job opportunity to return to his home state, and just in time for Michaela’s graduation from UNC Chapel Hill. Michaela returns home for the next two years and attends Lenoir-Rhyne University for her Masters in Occupational Therapy. Michaela and Alex drive countless miles back and forth from Morganton to Raleigh. COVID-19 hits and classes are moved to virtual. Michaela is visiting Raleigh for Spring Break and finds herself unofficially moving in. Michaela graduates, passes her national boards, and is graciously offered a job at a pediatric clinic in Raleigh. One year goes by. A year and a half goes by. It is now year five of dating. Every attended wedding or family event in the last two years inevitably includes a question about when they are getting married. Alex buys a ring in July 2021 and meets with Michaela’s dad. Alex plans a special anniversary trip to the Tennessee mountains and officially pops the question in front of a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains at their private cabin. Present (from the soon to be Yosts): The best is yet to come as we eagerly await our October wedding. Fall has clearly been a very special time of year for the two of us and we cannot wait to celebrate the beginning of our forever love, surrounded by our wonderful friends and family. We are so excited to celebrate with you soon. TL;DR: Met in college, reconnected 2 years later, long distance relationship, Alex moves back to NC, Michaela gets her masters and moves to Raleigh, Alex proposes (finally).