If you ask Michael:

I first met Brandie on July 6, 2022 at 10 Am. We were both speaking on a panel entitled “Lets Talk”. It was an extremely engaging panel. I had never seen or heard of a Brandie Thurman in my life! We were cordial to each other but neither of us were interested. I heard someone tell her happy birthday so I did the same lol. I added her as a friend on social media and we shared a laugh here and there. That following November, we both participated in another panel and she tried to coax me into speaking more but I was there to listen and observe this time. A month later, Brandie would jokingly accuse me of stealing an Instagram post she made but I was innocent! We began talking to each other and getting to know each other. Within a day or so, I asked her out and she accepted my request. We laughed and talked for hours. Talking to her was like talking to a part of myself I had never met before. Brandie would be very paramount with my processing and dealing with the consecutive losses in my family. She made so many pans of Mac n cheese I had to ask her not to make anymore but it was the best I’ve ever had! Later, I asked my spiritual father his opinion on Brandie and with organic joy he sponsored our next date, and Brandie made sure she spent every cent of it. After hearing the voice of God, I proposed to Brandie at one of her favorite date spots- The Missouri Botanical Garden- on April 13,2024 and she said YES! Next stop #DestinationHamilton2025

If you ask Brandie:

I actually first met Michael on July 5, 2022. We were briefly introduced at the Young People’s service in a crowd of young people during the last night of his team's MDCPYPU administration and he doesn’t even remember it LOL! He wore a shiny suit jacket and I was flabbergasted. I’d never seen or heard of him and was apalled at that jacket. The next day we both participated in a panel and still, no interest! However, in November, we served on a second panel and by that time we had become friends on social media, sharing a laugh here and there. Following the panel, we took a ride with his pastor, who commented that Michael was very attentive, although he was playing Pokémon on his phone during the ride. I rolled my eyes and laughed because I didn't look at him that way. That car ride somehow ended in a prayer circle with the three of us. A month later, Michael reposted a funny video that I had JUST posted the day before and I jokingly accused him of stealing the post. Although he denied stealing the post, that conversation lasted for hours and we laughed as if we’d known each other for years. Michael later asked me out on a date and planned a thoughtful and fun evening that would change our lives forever. That first date became our last first date ever. He became my best friend, confidant, safe space and so much more. Navigating life, grief, and growth, we found the sweetest love we’d each ever known in one another. Michael asked me to be his wife on April 13, 2024 in my favorite date spot, The Missouri Botanical Garden and I happily said YES! #DestinationHamilton2025 loading...