Mikayla and Matt first met at Saint Xavier University where Mikayla played basketball and Matt played football. During college, Matt worked for production services where he video recorded the women’s basketball games. Watching Mikayla play basketball is when Matt first began to admire Mikayla.


Though the two knew each other for the first few years of college, they did not become close friends until senior year when they lived in the same apartment building. Matt lived in the apartment directly above Mikayla and she soon learned how annoying Matt and his friends could be. Matt found any reason to stop by Mikayla’s apartment but she didn’t mind.


After graduation, Mikayla and Matt continued to stay close and soon began dating. After a few years of dating, the year of 2020 came upon us. It was a long year with Mikayla working as a nurse through Covid and Matt working as a Chicago police officer during riots and looting, commonly referred to as “peaceful protests”. However, 2020 wasn’t all so bad for Mikayla and Matt; they purchased a home together and got a puppy (Rylee).


After a year of living together and raising a puppy, Mikayla and Matt took a trip to Traverse City, a place that has become fond to the two over the years. Matt secretly had a lot planned for this trip.


On September 8th, 2021, Matt proposed to Mikayla at Chateau Chantal Winery located on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City. Mikayla’s parents traveled from Chicago and Matt’s parents (and Enzo) from Rockford to surprise the couple and celebrate their engagement. The following day, Matt was able to surprise Mikayla again with their siblings. Maloree (New Lenox), Keelee and Mercury (Chicago), Jimmy (San Francisco), and Kelcie (St Louis) all made the trip to Traverse City to celebrate. A few of Mikayla’s closest friends (Maggie, Maggie, and Shannon) generously made time to drive to Traverse City to celebrate the couple’s engagement.


Through all of the adversity of the last few years, Mikayla and Matt continue to grow in love. They are beyond excited to celebrate their marriage in 2022 with all of their loved ones.