Despite meeting at CSBSJU (College of St. Benedict & St. John's University) Michael and Martha never dated in college (this photo is from a later trip). Martha interviewed Michael as part of her job with Campus Ministry to lead a service trip program she organized over spring break, which is how they knew each other. After the COVID-19 pandemic sent us home from college that spring, Michael started a conversation with Martha on Instagram about a song she posted about that he also liked.

We each had to drive 3+ hours to our first date in LaCrosse, Wisconsin after weeks of texting and face-timing that summer. Despite the certainty of long-distance ahead of us, and the uncertainty of the pandemic, we decided we had to give our relationship a chance.

Our second date was an entire week spent in Door County, Wisconsin. We fell in love with the charming towns of the peninsula together and felt even more certain about our relationship going forward.

After months of long distance, Michael visited Martha in Boston for the first time.

After Michael graduated in May, we spent a sweet month together in Boston. We had a rental in Chinatown, and finally felt some relief from pandemic restrictions and long distance.

Michael joins Martha and her extended family for a reunion at her grandparents home, and enjoy summer on Browns Lake.

Michael moved to South Carolina for Medical School and Martha made her first visit!

Martha made her first trip to Canada to visit Michael's extended family there!

Remember the song Michael reached out to Martha about over Instagram? We got to hear it live together front row in Atlanta (Pastels by the Brook & the Bluff).

Michael made multiple trips to Boston before Martha finished her MPH that fall.

After finishing her MPH, Martha moved to South Carolina and shortly after our beloved puppy Casper joined us!

We celebrated 3 years of dating in Malta with Michael's family.

Michael pulled off the perfect surprise proposal in downtown Greenville. Afterwards, there was a second surprise some of our family and friends waiting to celebrate with us!