Our love story has been a special one, to be sure. We recently discovered that we have now been dating for over half of our lives!

We met on Friday, September 4th, 2009 in 7th grade health class. Between health class in the morning and science class in the afternoon, fate had been decided; Mike asked Delaney to be his girlfriend in front of her locker that very day. Even though looking back it is hard to say that our relationship at the age of 12 was anything more than silly young love, we knew we were good together and that we would always support one another through thick and thin.

We continued dating throughout high school, attending many proms and homecoming dances together. As we both grew as individuals, our relationship also went through its much needed growing pains. As we approached college, we decided that we were both committed to whatever the future had in store, especially the upcoming year of long distance dating. While Delaney was at the University of Georgia in Athens, Mike was some 90 miles away at Georgia College and State University. During this year of long distance, we called each other in between classes and visited on the weekends. Luckily our long distance year went by so fast, and Mike started at UGA the following fall! Our time in Athens was spent going to Saturday football games (Go Dawgs) and enjoying all of our favorite foods from Amici, Athens Bagel, Creature Comforts Brewery, and Last Resort Grill! While we were in college we also made invaluable memories with our close friends, many of whom will now be standing by our sides at our wedding.

After we graduated, we moved to Washington DC where Mike pursued a Masters in 19/20th Century African American Literature at the University of Maryland and Delaney worked at Johns Hopkins conducting stroke therapy research. Maryland was a huge milestone for us as it was our first time living together and being far away from family. Our relationship was strengthened greatly during this time as we made our little Maryland apartment a real home during the first 2 years of Covid-19.

In 2021, as Mike finished his Master's degree, Delaney got into medical school at the Medical College of Georgia. This was a dream come true for both of us as it meant that we could return to Athens and be close to family and loved ones while Delaney continued her education. Mike was fortunate to begin his career in higher education with his alma mater, UGA. We currently still live in Athens in a beautiful home with our two kitties, Benji and Lola.

After 11 years of dating, Mike knew it was time to ask Delaney to be his wife. In 2022, Delaney went on a girls trip with her group of best friends from elementary school. One of Delaney's friend's mom let the friend group know that she hired a photography to get a few good pictures of the girls on the beach. Delaney was so excited to get all dolled up and take some quality photos of her friend group. As they were having their mini photo shoot on the beach at sunset, Mike walked up behind Delaney and started calling her name. Delaney turned around in absolute shock and yelled "What are you doing here??? How did you get here?!?!". After Delaney finally came to the realization of what was happening, Mike calmly took her hand and asked her to marry him, to which Delaney said "Of course hunny". It was amazing that even after talking about getting married for over 11 years, Delaney was still so surprised on the actual day.

Since then, we have been enjoying a long engagement in which we have had plenty of time to plan the wedding of our dreams during our busy schedules of work and school! We are so looking forward to October 12, 2024 and cannot wait to spend our special day with all of you!

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