We're getting married!

It all started in band at Ridgeview Middle School. Michelle was in 7th grade, William in 8th, and fate (with a little help from Michelle’s best friend and now bridesmaid, Cecilia) placed them in the same band orbit. After William landed in an ensemble with Cecilia, Michelle got his number, and what began as group hangouts with fellow band kids at parks and pools quickly turned into constant one-on-one texting. Before long, they became best friends. The summer before William started high school and Michelle entered 8th grade, William asked if they could hang out—just the two of them—at the park. That quiet, shy afternoon in August 2017 became their unofficial first date. Soon after, they were meeting regularly at the creek near their neighborhood, spending afternoons and weekends talking, laughing, and growing closer. Wanting something a little more official, they planned a movie date together. On September 24, 2017, they made it “official,” marking the beginning of a teenage love that would grow and mature right alongside them. Through high school, band remained a constant thread in their lives, giving them countless hours together and strengthening their bond through a shared love of music. Meeting so young meant they grew up side by side—sharing nearly every memory, milestone, and secret. Though their interests differed (Michelle drawn to science and healthcare, William to computers and coding), they found common ground in the outdoors, video games, and long stretches of watching movies and TV together. After Michelle graduated high school in May 2022, they planned their first-ever camping trip to the Davis Mountains in West Texas—an adventure that became the first of an annual tradition they’ve continued every year since. William headed to Texas A&M first in Fall 2021 to study Industrial Engineering, while Michelle finished high school and followed a year later to major in Chemistry on the pre-med track. That year apart was challenging, but filled with nightly phone calls and visits whenever possible. Once reunited at A&M, campus life allowed them to spend time together between classes—walking through campus, playing games in each other’s dorms, meeting for lunch, and continuing their yearly outdoor trips despite busy schedules. Each year, their adventures stretched a little farther. New Mexico’s Sugarite Canyon State Park came first in May 2023, then Colorado in May 2024—where they stayed in Denver, hiked around Golden, and explored Rocky Mountain National Park. On May 15, 2024, during a beautiful snowy hike through Golden Gate Canyon State Park, William proposed. After more than six years together, Michelle said yes, and they celebrated by soaking in the rest of Denver—from good dinners to the botanical gardens. Soon after, they moved into a small one-bedroom apartment near campus and began building a home together. William graduated from A&M in May 2025, and as both a graduation celebration and their fourth annual trip, they tackled a four-day backpacking adventure through the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas—challenging, unforgettable, and a perfect reflection of their shared love for the outdoors. The journey continued with a stop in Eureka Springs, where they enjoyed paddleboarding, good food, and the charm of a small town. In August 2025, their little family grew with the addition of their dog, Squid. Through demanding schedules, long study weeks, and the everyday challenges of life, Michelle and William have always shown up for each other. Whether it’s ping pong at Aggie Park, a short walk, a shared TV show, or building puzzles and Lego sets together, they’ve learned that even small moments matter. As Michelle heads to medical school and William builds his career at HEB corporate, life will only get busier—but one thing remains constant: they’ll face it all side by side, excited for every adventure still to come.