We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Our story began in January of 2020. At the time, Michael was living in Charlotte, and Maya was living in Columbia. Thanks Hinge! Our first date, on February 1st, 2020, was an adventure. What was meant to be a simple afternoon turned into an eleven-hour whirlwind of fun. Michael came down to Columbia, and we strolled through Soda City, did a $1 wine tasting, explored a vintage record shop, and Maya made Michael try on a ridiculous outfit at a consignment shop. Time seemed to melt away, and we knew, even then, that something special was brewing. Just a month and a half later, the world changed. When COVID-19 brought everything to a standstill we pivoted, relying on hours of FaceTime calls, watching movies virtually, and outdoor activities like walking Zoey and hiking to continue getting to know each other. And then, there's the great anniversary debate. Michael swears it’s April 5th, and that Maya officially said “yes” to being his girlfriend after midnight. Maya insists it’s April 4th, and that she said yes before midnight. We celebrate on April 4th. After two years of navigating long-distance, Maya finally made the move to Charlotte in April of 2022. We squeezed into a tiny apartment in South End, complete with an impressively large closet and two showers in one bathroom, and began building our life together. But Michael decided Zoey needed a yard. And so, our homebuying adventure began. In June of 2023, we closed on our first home, diving headfirst into the world of DIY and home renovations. We've poured our hearts into making it a space where memories are made, and where friends and family feel right at home. Then, in November of 2023, Michael took Maya back to the rooftop where we had our second date, overlooking the growing Charlotte skyline, and asked her to spend forever with him. Of course, she said yes! (Actually, she said, “I knew it!”) Over the past five years, we've built a life filled with laughter, love, and adventure. Making incredible friends who have become our chosen family. Hosted parties for every occasion, where the fun never stops and Michael talks everyone into taking shots. Embraced Halloween as our ultimate holiday. Explored the culinary world, trying new flavors and creating unique dishes. And traveled the world, with Maya showing Michael the wonders of Europe for the first time in 2024. We're so excited to embark on this next chapter of our lives, and we can’t wait to celebrate our love with all of you. Thank you for being a part of our story.