Valerie and Michael met for the very first time at a business networking event. Michael was trying to grow the environmental group at work, and Valerie was looking for any environmental job to get her foot in the door. They both recall the moment they met each other and thinking they needed to stay professional, that this was a work/networking event, not a chance to exchange cell numbers. Valerie did, however, get Michael's business card and follow-up via email. Once she joined the environmental group, Michael did a decent job of trying to ignore her, as he didn't want to start any "work drama". Much to his efforts, Michael and Valerie lasted about a year of working together, but started dating in November of 2019. As the saying goes, first comes love, second comes Covid. Valerie and Michael moved in together in the Spring of 2020. Although some people may think working, living, and quarantining together in a one-bedroom apartment may be a recipe for disaster, Valerie and Michael didn't mind at all. Don't worry - that only lasted about four months, once Valerie started a new job - but that time allowed the two of them to really get to know each other, and learn how great of a team they made, and it's been true love ever since!

It was August 28th, 2021. Michael and Valerie were enjoying a "staycation" in Philadelphia - seeing all the sights, eating all the food, and enjoying their first real vacation together. Saturday evening, Valerie and Michael were "meeting their friends" Nick and Becca at a cool pop-up beer garden by the art museum, followed by dinner at a nice sushi restaurant (this is key planning by Michael - since he needed Valerie to be dressed up for this occasion). When they stepped out of their Uber at the Fairmount Water Works, another wedding was taking place. Valerie wanted to watch the ceremony, because she is a very curious (some would say nosey) person, so Michael recommended that they walk up the hill to the Art Museum to get a better look. Half-way up the hill, Michael bent down on one knee and popped the question, and of course, Valerie said yes. Strangers around them started clapping and cheering, and then Michael pointed out a non-stranger at the top of the hill - It was Carly, Valerie's lifelong best friend! She was taking pictures of the proposal! Of course, Valerie started screaming. After some more pictures, Carly directed the newly engaged couple to the front of the art museum and perfectly posed them to look towards the museum, as opposed to towards the city, down the famous Rocky steps. Valerie, completely in a blur at this point, didn't ask any questions and trusted Carly's artistic vision. Then, Carly told the couple to turn around, and Valerie screamed again. All of the people they cared about most were standing on the steps! Valerie and Michael's parents, Valerie's siblings, and Michael and Valerie's closest friends were all on the steps. Truly the perfect proposal <3