Fate would have it that on December 29, 2022, Mike and Venetia took part in a speed dating event. Within seven minutes, Mike and Venetia decided to take a chance on dating each other and then, on January 7, 2023, met at Toast Coffeehouse in Bayshore for their first date. They found that they each had many common interests and values. Mike and Venetia introduced each other to their family and friends shortly afterwards. The couple has enjoyed exploring a myriad of diverse cultural cuisines such as Thai, German, Japanese, Italian and many more. Venetia introduced Mike to South Indian cuisine at House of Dosas in Hicksville, Long Island. He enjoyed the vegetarian cuisine and accidentally tried the hot Indian peppers, both of which he will never forget. Mike and Venetia have taken road trips together, such as the Hudson Valley and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where Mike did his undergraduate studies at Franklin and Marshall College. They even traveled to Hawaii together this past summer where Venetia was a bridesmaid at her friend’s wedding. On the one year anniversary of their first date, on January 7, 2024, Mike proposed to Venetia at his family’s favorite restaurant. He went down on one knee and sang “All I Ask of You,” from his favorite musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Even though each had traveled the world on their own, they look forward to experiencing life’s journeys and adventures together in their married life.