Mikayla was this close to deleting Hinge when James sent a simple “Hello, how’s your day going?” Good timing James because we haven’t really stopped talking since. We bonded instantly over Lord of the Rings (which sealed the deal for James), rainy walks, and a mutual love of art, nature, and music.


Our first date turned into a full day adventure: wandering Frederik Meijer Gardens, with Mikayla enthusiastically rattling off facts about every sculpture like a tour guide. James says he spent the whole time basking in the beauty of the most breathtaking sight at the gardens, Mikayla. (He’s been soaking it in every day since.) They ordered tacos for dinner but were both hit with nerves at how messy they would be as soon as they arrived, but they never felt embarrassed. It was like they were dining with someone they had known all their lives.


From there, things just... unfolded. On July 21st, Mikayla introduced James to gyros and Art Fairs in Ann Arbor and James asked Mikayla to be his girlfriend on a patch of grass under the July sun. That was the first “I do.”


We had the long-distance phase, spent too many weekends counting down to the next visit, James weathered snow storms and late night drives to visit Mikayla.


Eventually James moved to Grand Rapids and we created our first shared home, not long after, we adopted our dog Twig, who joined his older brother Louie the bunny. In 2024, we bought our first house, a cozy space we’ve filled with plants, art, music, and love.


James had his heart, mind, body, and soul set on marrying Mikayla. In fact, he asked her nearly every day for years:
“Do you want to get married?” James would ask.
“Yes.” Mikayla would say through a grin.
“To me?” he’d point to himself.
“Who else?” she’d sing (not literally, but it was music to James’ ears).


She said yes so many times that it became an ongoing bit, one we both loved. Mikayla knew the real request was coming, but not when. James had told her tales of the mythical dwarves he hired to carve through the Earth, searching for the precious materials that make up her ring. He’d bring her updates, stating they needed new equipment or that the foreman was on vacation. In reality, he was saving funds, planning, and scheming with Mikayla’s mother, Rebecca. Rebecca had loaned James a series of gems and rings that had been passed down to her through the family. In that pile of treasure, there was a ring belonging to Mikayla’s great-grandmother (remember that for later).


In that time of planning, James had scheduled a meeting with the mythical dwarves. But James needed the help of Sam and Rachel (his and Mikayla’s best friends) to forge a gem of their own: a lie. Sam and Rachel had covered for James so he could attend the meeting where he designed the ring: a green tourmaline stone surrounded by Mikayla’s grandmother’s diamonds.


Then, on a birthday trip in April 2025, standing at the top of a hill overlooking a river bend, Mikayla was busy describing their imaginary dream home next to the river when James was fumbling trying to get out the small wooden box from his pocket.
“Is this the best view on the hike?”, he asked.
She said yes.
“Do you want to get married?”
Another yes, still looking out at the river, unsuspecting.
“To me?”
She whirled around, hearing his shift in tone.
Cue her surprised shout: “Are you joking?!”


Reader, she said “I do” (again). And now we can’t wait to say “I do” once more, this time with all of you there to witness it.