Michael and Abby (probably) met for the first time some time during the beginning of their freshman year at IWU. Abby first heard about Michael from his older sister, Marissa, Abby's peer educator of her first year experience class. Marissa mentioned her younger brother that would be attending IWU and how she was nervous about his introverted personality meshing with the craziness of college.

Their social circles would often overlap, Jadyn (bridesmaid) being in Michael's freshman friend group later became a very close friend of Abby through chorale, Abby's friend group found their chapel seats being just a few rows back from Michael's usual spot, and they shared a summer on Summer Ministry Teams at IWU together, although very distantly.

Both Abby & Michael would agree that the other person did not really stand out much to them until a mutual friend of theirs invited them to be a part of their wedding. Abby was asked to help with worship & ceremonial music and Michael was asked to run sound & DJ. They both attended the rehearsal and found themselves sitting next to each other during the dinner. During which, Michael would not stop trying to start conversation with Abby, asking her questions about her summer, making fun of the smashed potatoes on the menu, and conversing about the olive theory. (Michael will now say that Abby was insanely awkward during this dinner as she felt she had to deflect the attention to include the other people at the table).

On the actual wedding day, it became more apparent their interest in one another. During the reception, they would often glance to find the other person looking at them and, at the end of the reception, Michael asked Abby if she would like to get McConn sometime when they were back on campus. Abby said yes!

But Michael couldn't wait that long, so, that night, he asked for her phone number through Instagram DMs and they started texting daily. When they returned to campus, they hung out as often as possible. It would only take a short month for them to realize and decide to start dating. They started dating on September 7, 2024 on the way to meet Michael's parents for the first time.

During their dating relationship, Abby and Michael enjoyed worshipping together through chapel, the Well, and attending early morning prayer. They also enjoyed many coffee dates, walks, and study sessions. Abby would say that she knew she was going to marry Michael when she was in Washington D.C. on a chorale tour and Michael and his dad came to surprise her! Michael would say that he knew he was going to marry Abby when he saw the potential of serving in ministry together as a team instead of apart.

Abby and Michael got engaged on June 28, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee at Foothills Parkway, overlooking the mountains. They have enjoyed their year planning the wedding and experiencing Michael's senior year of college and Abby's first year of teaching and they are so excited for this next chapter of life together as newlyweds. Their prayer for all those that attend is that they would experience and recognize the love the Lord has given them for each other and the dedication they have to serving the Lord through their marriage!

Registry