Our nearly decade-long love story begins in December 2015 when we matched on the dating app Hinge. Back then, Hinge only allowed connections with people who had mutual friends on Facebook. Jeremy messaged Michael first during the 2016 Republican Presidential debate. We struck up a conversation about the absurdity of Donald Trump, laughing at how implausible his candidacy was. What a time! The conversation was easy, and we decided to meet in person just two days later.

Our first date was a hit. We quickly bonded over Jewish geography, our love for politics, and travel adventures. Turns out, we had over 50 mutual friends, and it was only a matter of time before our paths would have crossed. The connection was so strong that even Michael's impending Birthright trip couldn't slow us down. While he was in Israel, we kept talking every day via Facebook Messenger. The first real test came in January 2016 when "Snowzilla" dropped two feet of snow on DC. Jeremy rode out the blizzard at Michael's house, and after four days together, we both knew we had started something special. [PICTURED]

After the blizzard, we made it official and became boyfriends! Michael lived on Capitol Hill and Jeremy in Logan Circle, so we'd pack overnight bags and travel across the city to spend nights together. In February, Michael surprised Jeremy with a West Wing tour at the Obama White House [PICTURED]. On our first Valentine's Day, we went to Sushi Taro, starting a decade-long tradition of sushi on Valentine’s Day. During Memorial Day Weekend, we took our first trip together, renting an Airbnb in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

By 2017, our lives were becoming intertwined, building new friendships and creating memories together. We took our first international trip to Peru to hike Machu Picchu [PICTURED] and explore the incredible culinary scene. For Michael's birthday, Jeremy secured a reservation to the world's #1 restaurant, Central, where we met celebrity chef Virgilio Martinez (as seen on the Netflix show Chef’s Table).

By 2018, our social lives in DC were melding, and our families became integral to our relationship. In May, Michael attended his first major Sherman family event — Stefanie (Jeremy’s sister) and Bobby's wedding in Michigan [PICTURED]. We also began switching between Detroit and Memphis for holidays and creating our own Jewish traditions. In June, Michael joined the Bredesen for Senate campaign in Tennessee, moving to Nashville. Long distance was challenging and tested our relationship for the first time. But Jeremy kept busy, winning the Mr. Nice Jewish Boy Pageant! After the midterms, we traveled to northern California, spending Thanksgiving in Yosemite National Park and visiting Napa Valley (shoutout to Pride Mountain Vineyards!).

In Summer 2019, we took a major step in our relationship and moved into an apartment together in Dupont Circle. No more packing overnight bags or sharing clothes — we finally had a home to call our own. Living together allowed us to fully coordinate our lives, down to planning our first joint Halloween costume as David and Alexis Rose from Schitt's Creek [PICTURED]! In June, we ventured north to New York City for World Pride with a group of gay friends who were becoming like family to us in DC. Together, we celebrated the largest LGBTQ+ pride event during the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. 2019 was also when we both started new jobs. Jeremy left Deloitte Consulting to join a food startup, Snacklins, while Michael took a job at the DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee).

When COVID-19 struck, we both transitioned to working from home full time. While the constant time spent together might have challenged many relationships, it only served to strengthen ours. In September 2020, we adopted our sweet (but energetic!) dog Oreo. If you know us, you know our journey with Oreo hasn't been easy, but the shared responsibility of caring for him has deepened our emotional bond and tested us in new ways [PICTURED].

During the summer of 2021, we took a long-awaited vacation to Portugal, another top culinary destination that we had been eager to visit. The pandemic had limited our ability to travel, so as soon as we were vaccinated, we booked the trip. Upon our return, we began contemplating the idea of buying a condo together. To our surprise, things moved quickly. By October, we had closed on our first home, putting down roots in DC's Columbia Heights neighborhood [PICTURED].

2022 was a pivotal year for us professionally. While Michael exceled at the DCCC, Jeremy embarked on his first political campaign, running for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, an elected position in DC’s local government. Despite busy lives, we made time for fun. In August, we braved the sweltering heat and humidity at Nationals Park to see Lady Gaga (our favorite artist) in concert [PICTURED]. Her electrifying performance was a highlight of the year, and her music will undoubtedly be a fixture at our wedding! In 2022, Jeremy was laid off from his job at Snacklins as the company struggled post-pandemic. Between the midterm elections and job-hunting, it was a stressful time, but we supported each other through it.

Being part of the LGBTQ+ community is central to who we are, both as individuals and as a couple. Our shared journey as gay adults has deepened our connection and enriched our lives. We've spent the years celebrating Pride Month together, seeing our favorite drag queens perform around the world, and vacationing in Provincetown, MA in 2022 and 2023 [PICTURED]. In 2023, we both started new jobs (again)! Michael joined a political consulting firm and Jeremy joined ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). Being Jewish is also core to our upbringing and shared history. We’ve hosted Shabbat dinners and Passover seders. We’re lucky to have a strong Jewish community in DC and non-Jewish friends who have been there for us during challenging times.

To start 2024, we visited Mexico City, riding a hot air balloon and exploring the street food scene. After our trip, it was clear that our engagement was on the horizon. Jeremy planned a surprise proposal behind the scenes, using Michael’s “birthday party” as cover. On April 27, surrounded by our friends, Jeremy popped the question to Michael on a cold, rainy day at Bluemont Vineyard in Virginia [PICTURED]. Fanny, Jeffrey, Lynn, and Jerry flew in from Detroit and Memphis, which added to the surprise and joy.

We can't wait to have you join us in Washington, DC, on October 25, 2025, to celebrate our 10 years of love! We know it may be far for many of you to travel, but nothing means more to us than being surrounded by family and friends on our wedding day in the city that has become our home.