Michael and Stef met at Duke University where they were both pursuing a doctorate of physical therapy. Some may find this relationship to be quite studious, while others will rumor that they met at a bar with a mechanical bull and an active dance floor.

After back and forth of who would ask the other out first, the two had their first date in August of 2019. A couple months later, Alex came down to Durham to see if this new guy her sister was dating was future brother-in-law material!

Michael and Stef took their first trip together to Washington D.C. They watched their alma maters play one another in basketball. The defeat of Michael's Spartans by Stef's Badgers compounded on the hurt he felt after walking the Capital for 11 miles.

The pandemic prevented Stef and Michael from going on outings in the Triangle, but it did afford time for puzzles, baking and for Michael to pitch himself as a third roommate for Maddie and Stef.

Stef took Michael home to Massachusetts where they spent a week golfing, drinking Jim's tequila cocktails and learning about each others' patience during the 11-hour I-95 ride.

The couple was challenged by their first episode of long-distance dating as Michael left for his clinical rotations. Stef visited Michael in Colorado and Florida, where the two enjoyed spending time together outdoors.

Michael graduated PT school and got ready to move to Florida for his year-long orthopedic residency. Stef started her year of clinical rotations soon after. Michael learned that Stef was the slowest 24-year old to respond to a text message, and that daily phone calls to one another would keep them in close contact.

Stef graduated PT school in May of 2022, and their two years of long-distance dating came to a close. Michael moved back to North Carolina to work at Duke, while Stef completed an oncology residency there. Michael finally claimed his title as "Stef's Roommate", and they moved into their first apartment together, with the help of Jane and John Moving Company!

Fast forward to 2024, Michael proposed to Stef on the campus that brought them together nearly five years earlier. Duke Gardens will always be a special place for the engaged couple and they hope their wedding guests get to visit this beautiful spot during their October 2025 visit!

Michael and Stef tie the knot! We cannot wait to celebrate with our dear family and friends in the place our relationship began!