Brooke and Mike were introduced to each other by their good friends, Tyler and Megan Girt. Tyler had often mentioned, "I think Mike and Brooke would make a good couple," even before they knew each other well.

The first time Mike and Brooke really spent quality time together was on a weekend trip to Cleveland. Brooke had expected a bigger group to join, but to her surprise, it was just her, Mike, Tyler, and Megan. They had a great time exploring the city and hanging out as a group, but it was clear that Mike and Brooke were enjoying each other’s company. Mike wasn’t looking for anything serious at the time—he was just having fun, but it was clear something was starting to click between them.

A couple of weeks later, while Brooke was visiting her friend Maddie in Florida, she found herself wanting to text Mike but didn’t have his number yet. Maddie took the initiative and texted Mike from Brooke's phone, saying she enjoyed hanging out and wondered if he would like to meet up again sometime. Mike responded positively, and from there, their conversations continued to grow.

Their connection blossomed through texts, casual hangouts, and their first official date at Netty’s, where they shared ice cream. Despite Mike's initial hesitation and nerves about getting into a relationship, their bond continued to strengthen. Seven months of texting later, when asked about their relationship, Mike casually replied, “Yeah, we’re dating. I didn’t think I needed to ask to make it official.”

Their relationship flourished over time, filled with road trips, movie nights, golfing competitions, and plenty of quality time together. In April 2023, they bought their first home, and their lives grew even richer with the addition of two fur babies, Mowgli and Akela.

Soon after moving in together, Mike knew he wanted to marry Brooke. Though unsure about the exact ring to choose, Brooke’s visit to try on rings helped narrow down the options. With that information in hand, Mike asked for Brooke’s mom Jolien and brother Dustin’s blessing and planned a proposal that would be nothing short of memorable.

Mike envisioned a picturesque proposal at Maumee Bay State Park, complete with perfect weather and a romantic beach backdrop. However, things didn’t go quite as planned—Brooke was feeling under the weather, and instead of sunny skies, the day brought 55-degree temperatures and wind. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, Mike refused to give up on the proposal. He made up a story about his friend Joe being in town and suggested they take a walk while they waited. To his surprise, Brooke agreed, and they braved the rain together.

As they walked, Mike had his friend hidden nearby to capture the moment in photos. Though Mike had originally planned a different spot for the proposal, he decided to improvise and chose a location that felt even more perfect in the moment. On one knee, Mike asked Brooke to be his wife, and she said yes!

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