Seven years ago, Mike and Klarissa both swiped right, and from that moment, they have been inseparable.

Their first date was a mix of sweet moments and unexpected adventures. They started with frozen yogurt, bonding over everything they had in common. Next, they went to Monster Mini Golf, where they played mini golf, danced to the music, and laughed as if they were the only ones there. Before the night ended, Klarissa suggested a "Beach Cruise"—something everyone from West Islip knows about. Mike on the other hand thought she meant an actual cruise ship and mentally prepared himself to set sail in the middle of winter with a girl he had just met. Turns out a Beach Cruise is just a scenic drive over the Robert Moses Bridge to the beach parking lot and back. Mid-cruise, a deer ran in front of the car. Luckily, Mike didn’t hit it, though on the inside, he was screaming like a little girl. He tried to play it cool, but Klarissa saw right through him, they laughed the whole way home and the rest was history.

Years later, Mike somehow convinced Klarissa’s mom to let them take a dream trip to Italy. Klarissa had always wanted to go, and Mike made it his mission to get her there—with a secret side mission: proposing at Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como. His reasons? It was one of the most beautiful places in the world… and, of course, it was where Anakin and Padmé got married in Star Wars (yes, huge nerd alert).

Getting an engagement ring through airport security without raising suspicion proved to be a challenge. Naturally, the bag containing the ring was the only one TSA decided to inspect. As Mike nervously broke into a sweat, Klarissa, unaware of the situation, tried to calm him down and remind him that it's just a bag. Fortunately, Mike had left a note in the ring box for TSA, just in case. Still, he was determined not to propose at JFK.

Once in Italy, things took an unexpected turn—a mudslide in Milan disrupted train service to Lake Como, where the proposal was supposed to take place. Panic set in. The train could only take them part of the way, and locals suggested taking a ferry. They rushed to the docks, only to find that the ferries weren’t running. While Mike was internally spiraling, Klarissa, completely unaware, was happily taking in the sights.

Then, like an angel, a kind stranger who recognized them from the train offered to split a taxi. They made it just in time. Once at the Villa, Mike had arranged for the tour guide to capture the moment on video. He got down on one knee, popped the question, and—thankfully—Klarissa said yes!

The rest of the trip was pure magic, and now, they can’t wait for the next chapter: their wedding!

K&M

Wedding Day