It all began one fateful, COVID summer evening in early August when Michael and Emma met at their mutually favorite bar, Parsons, for drinks. Michael waited nervously out front as Emma approached and the two exchanged their first awkward greeting. Michaels mind was made up the moment he saw her walk away to lead them into the bar, wearing those jeans - he knew she was the one.


It wasnt long after that when Emma knew Michael was the one, either. From the get-go, Michael cooked her the most amazing meals Emma had ever had, ranging from banana almond pancakes in the morning, to steak dinners at night. But it was the time Michael brought homemade mac and cheese to her during a particularly stressful shift at work that Emma knew Michael was the one.


The two became official on Michaels birthday less than two months later when Emma gently prompted him to ask her to be his girlfriend, and they first said, I love you that Halloween when Emma.... gently prompted him to say, I love you.


Since then, the two have been inseparable. They moved to Des Moines the following Spring together, where they waited a mere ten days to adopt the love of both their lives, Bucky Ryan Kolodzej. Bucky (Yucky, Little Lover, Tiny Man, Gabagoul, Mr. Fancy Feet) has brought Michael and Emma (and everyone who meets him) more joy and love than they could have possibly imagined. They love being his parents, together.


Michael and Emma decided to buy Bucky his first house in 2022. Michael keeps up with the outdoor work and Emma futzes around with the inside. Bucky sheds everywhere he can.


Then, in August 2024, Michael and Emma took a trip to California to celebrate after Emma took the bar exam. On their fourth anniversary, Michael took Emma up the mountain to ask her to marry him. In true Emma fashion, she knew exactly what was coming (and when, and how). And in true Michael fashion, he got nervous and only got a few words out (Do you wanna...) before she answered a resounding, YES.


The couple are ecstatic to celebrate their union with their closest friends and family on October 11, 2025, and cannot wait to start their lives together, as husband and wife.