It was Sept 02, 2006. Mike and David met at 59 Lake, which is present day Stingrays in Rehoboth Beach, DE. David was visiting from Philadelphia and Mike was visiting while being stationed with the Navy in Norfolk, VA. Mike saw David across a crowded room while he was out with his friends. Later, while David was dancing with someone else, Mike’s friends gave him the courage to approach David, and they have been together ever since.

That Monday, Mike returned to Virginia and David to Philadelphia. The Wednesday afterwards, they met again. Mike reached out to David to ask if he had dinner plans. David did not and Mike replied for him to keep it that way. Mike drove five hours, from Norfolk to Philadelphia, just to have dinner with David. After dinner, he left to head back to Norfolk, making it back just in time to report to the ship for duty the next morning. Despite their distance, their lives began to change. They spent Fridays heading to Rehoboth so that they could spend time together and get to know each other. This took place pretty much every weekend unless Mike was out to sea or had duty in Virginia. Some weekends, if Mike had duty, he would pay his shipmates to take his duty so that he could meet David in Delaware or Philadelphia.

Perhaps dating someone at a distance would have been a barrier for others, but for Mike and David, it gave them a chance to meet over time. They took their time and truly learned about each other. In April 2008, Mike was scheduled to deploy overseas. At this time, David had met some of Mike's family and Mike had met some of David’s family. Once David’s parents heard that Mike was deploying overseas, they requested that they meet him before his departure. The weekend before Mike went out to sea, he came up to Philadelphia and they headed over to New Jersey to have dinner with David’s folks.

While deployed, Mike became a pen pal for David’s dad. In fact, it was the relationship he built with David’s father that won David over. David’s dad told Mike stories of when he was young, hanging out in Atlantic City as well as when he was in the Army stationed in Alaska. Every day, Mike was able to call David and email with David’s father, Mr. A.

Mike eventually left the military due to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell restricting his ability to truly be himself and love who he chose even though he was begged daily to re-enlist, awarded a NAM (Navy Marine Corp Achievement Medal), and set up for a promotion. April 2009 rolled around, and Mike rolled out of the Navy, turning down orders to the Pentagon and reentering civilian life. He moved in with David in Philadelphia and their relationship grew. During their time in Philly, they had amazing support of numerous family and friends.

Mike and David ran away to live in Houston Texas together in early 2010 where they developed their passion for Bull Terriers. Mike and David met a phenomenal circle of diverse friends.

They returned to the East Coast when Mr. A became ill. David returned to the Philadelphia area for work and Mike entered the construction industry at the Delaware beaches. They were back to just living together on the weekends. It was difficult, but they were determined to make it work. An opportunity presented itself and they were finally able to live together again, this time in Lewes, DE, near their DelMarVa/PANJ families and surrounded by amazing neighbors.

With David's closest people Mrs. Fay (mom) and Wayne's (bestie) blessing June 2019, Mike surprised David with a proposal while they were back in Texas so that David could officiate their friends' wedding. Mike arranged a flash mob, a choir, and a beautiful sun lit day for a proposal at a reflection pool in a public park. Houston family-friends and even some friends who had flown in from the East Coast surrounded the happy couple.

Mike and David now live in Florida and have a wonderful life –

with their Bull Terrier (Echo) and are surrounded by an amazing circle both near and far. They share their passion for loving life and helping others, whether supporting Jusst Sooup or other causes.

Mike and David's life continues to grow, and they feel blessed every moment.

Love is Love

Proposal video: https://youtu.be/yU04NFUZpwY

Registry

We can not THANK YOU enough for your generosity. Love is Love

We can not THANK YOU enough for your generosity.

Love is Love