Once upon a time, amidst the backdrop of a high school play at Mira Loma High School called She-Creatures, two high school kids named Mikaela and Dara were introduced to each other by Mikaela’s sister, Alexandra. In this environment of quirky theater kids, the two were immediately drawn together. What began as an innocent friendship forged in the hallowed black box theater of Mira Loma would go on to flourish into a loving bond that conquered the challenges of distance and the relentless flow of time.

Years later, while Dara was studying in the sun-kissed town of San Marcos, CA, and Mikaela was immersed in her studies in the picturesque and snowy town of Missoula, MT, they found their worlds converging once more. A simple “direct message” on the Meta Platforms Inc.-owned website, Instagram, sparked the flame of reunion, as Dara extended an invitation to meet, igniting a journey that would lead them back to Sacramento.

Basking in the nostalgia of their hometown during a holiday break from school, their first date unfolded, where shared dreams and unspoken sentiments bubbled up and they both revealed confessions of long-held affections. With hearts laid bare, they would soon discover that the seeds of admiration planted in high school would bloom into an enduring love, weaving their past and present into a tapestry of shared experiences and cherished moments.

As the years unfurled like the petals of a delicate flower, their bond deepened, and what was once a familiar friendship blossomed into an extraordinary love story. After years of practically living together in Dara's childhood home, they got to experience the excitement of living together in their first shared space after moving in together in November of 2022. This step brought them ever closer together and made clear that they were meant to be.

Now, after over five years of laughter, tears, and countless memories, Dara and Mikaela stand on the threshold of forever, ready to embark on the greatest adventure of all—marriage. Their journey has led them hand in hand through life's joys and challenges, and now together they eagerly await the moment when they will vow to cherish, honor, and love each other for all the days of their lives.