GiGi and Michael’s journey began in Athens, Georgia, in November 2019. Though they didn’t speak much the night they first met, their friends knew there was potential and decided to set them up.

Coincidentally, Michael's parents had recently moved from Edgefield, South Carolina to Roswell, Georgia, just 20 minutes away from GiGi.

Over the next year and a half, they stayed in touch occasionally. During that time, GiGi admits that Michael became her “Instagram crush,” with her regularly visiting his page and thinking about how cute he was. In March 2021, Michael was preparing to leave for spring training in Arizona. Before his departure, Michael reached out once more, determined to take her out on a date—something they had discussed many times. This time, GiGi finally said yes.

The day came for their first date, though GiGi, exhausted from her travels the days before, tried to avoid the date by pretending to be asleep. Unfazed, Michael showed up anyway. GiGi intended to keep the evening short but as soon as they began talking, everything changed. What was meant to be a brief outing became the first day of their story.

The following 17 days before Michael left for Arizona were filled with time spent together, cementing a strong bond. When the time came for Michael to leave, they both agreed to pursue a long-distance relationship, despite the challenges of living on opposite sides of the country. For the next year and a half, GiGi and Michael navigated a cross-country relationship—she in Atlanta and him between Arizona and Georgia—making efforts to see each other once a month. They cherished their time exploring Arizona together and enjoyed making memories with family during Michael’s visits home.

When Michael’s baseball career concluded in August 2022, the distance was finally behind them, allowing their relationship to flourish even further. By October 2023, Michael proposed, and the two joyfully began planning their future together.

GiGi and Michael firmly believe that their relationship was part of God’s plan. They credit Him as the foundation of their love, guiding them through every step of their journey. With deep gratitude for His blessings and the unwavering support of their loved ones, they eagerly look forward to this new chapter and the lifetime of happiness that lies ahead.