Our story began like any great love story does—at Chick-Fil-A. We both worked at the Oceanside Chick-Fil-A location and didn’t see each other as anything more than friendly colleagues at the time. After agreeing to go on a hike with some of our other Chick-Fil-A friends, we found ourselves drawn to each other the whole time. We spent most of the hike walking side by side and making each other laugh. This is when our friendship first began to bud.

As our friendship grew at work, we also kept running into each other at MiraCosta college. One day, we spontaneously decided to ditch class (which was very out of character for both of us) and take a day trip to Los Angeles. We visited the Getty Art Museum and the Griffith Observatory. The magnetic pull we felt towards each other was clear as the day went on, even though neither of us had admitted to romantic feelings at this point.

About 6 months into our friendship, we decided to take it to the next level and had our first date at La Jolla Cove.

After visiting family in Arizona, we took a detour to extend our adventure and see the Grand Canyon. After an eventful journey (including a car accident), we finally made it to the Grand Canyon! Only 3 months into dating, this trip taught us that we were a great team, even in the midst of curveballs.

Eric planned so many romantic dates, including making Mikaela’s dream of horseback riding come true. We love experiencing new things together.

In the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, God called us to go to Paraguay on a mission trip through a Christian nonprofit called Su Refugio. It was a privilege to witness the work of God impact orphans, widows, and all those in need in Tobati, Paraguay.

We started participating in weekly Sunday worship and fellowship nights hosted at Mikaela’s apartment that she shared with 3 other close friends. We saw God work so powerfully through those nights, and we will forever cherish those experiences and the bonds that were created.

We love visiting our nieces and nephew in Arizona. Eric is excited to take on the official role of “Uncle”

Last year in 2023, we both graduated college! Eric graduated with his bachelors in Mathematics, and shortly after Mikaela graduated and became a registered veterinary technician.

Despite having cat allergies, Mikaela fell in love with Figgy, a neglected cat that was relinquished to the vet clinic she worked at. After Mikaela adopted him, Eric quickly fell in love with him too. We are excited to give him the pampered kitty life he deserves!