Where did we meet? Bumble, of course. We were just two busy bees buzzing through work, life, and questionable dating applications when Michael used his one and only (weekly) Super Like on Sarah. She swiped right — and the rest was lo-fi beats and heart emojis. We bonded over music (Purple Disco? Porter Robinson? Yes please...), and made it off the apps for an in-person date in less than a week! Mike was the ultimate gentleman — he planned the cutest date at Ida Claire, picked the meal, the wine, and even made sure she walked on the inside of the sidewalk. Clearly, he knew how to treat a girl from the get-go.

After moving from the frozen north (Chicago, North Dakota, or Minneapolis — take your pick), Michael hadn’t had much time to explore Dallas. Sarah, a longtime Dallasite, took that as a Texas-sized challenge. One of our earliest dates? A Stars game, of course. Hockey was the perfect middle ground — southern hospitality meets northern sport. We bought matching jerseys and still wear them to games today. Go Stars!

Michael kept the early romance alive in February in the form of home-cooked fajitas for Valentine's Day. Sarah had to travel for work in March - including a two-week trip to Australia and then a little detour to Coachella! You know what they say about absence and fondness...

After returning stateside, Sarah didn’t waste any time — we were back to exploring Dallas together, this time with a little extra sparkle (and maybe a few jazz hands #moulinrouge). From spontaneous nights out to unexpected run-ins with friends (hi, Cris and Kevyn), it became clear: we didn’t just like spending time together — we really, really liked it.

For Sarah’s birthday, we escaped to Fredericksburg — aka Texas wine country — with a group of amazing friends (and one particularly amazing guy). Mike secretly coordinated a custom birthday cake, won major points with the group, and kept the celebrations flowing. Somewhere between winery number three and “just one more glass,” Sarah turned to him and said, “I know you love me — it’s okay, you don’t have to say it yet.” Spoiler alert: she was right.

Mike was technically Sarah’s plus-one, but in that brand-new suit, he might’ve stolen the whole show (don’t worry, the bride was still the star). It was our first wedding as a couple — and between the love in the air, the dance floor magic, and one very photogenic llama, someone may or may not have started hearing her own wedding bells.

Our first Memorial Day Weekend together with the Dallas college crew, and Mike came ready: cocktails in hand, cheeky grin locked in, and fully committed to "peacocking." Between floating in style, mixing up drinks, and attempting his hotly-debated tortilla pizzas, he brought just the right energy to kick off summer — and made the weekend one to remember.

We spent the summer soaking up Texas — two-stepping (poorly), chasing the best margaritas, and trying to survive the heat. But this photo at Joe T’s — a Fort Worth staple — marked something special: our first official photo together — on social media, at least! Sarah posted it to Instagram thinking it was just a cute pic… and immediately started fielding “Wait, who is this?!” DMs from excited friends.

Big city, big tunes, and a little magic! Lollapalooza in Chicago brought it all: our love of live music, some quality time with Kat and Kevin (hi, friends!), and a chance for Sarah to meet the Fairbairn family. The weekend was a blur of skyline views, great eats, and dancing in the park — but nothing topped Odesza’s set. A little rain, a full drumline, and the Chicago skyline… hands down, the best show of our lives!

That weekend was all kinds of unforgettable. Sarah officiated our dear friends' wedding (shoutout, Paris and Yekeen) on a boat with the Chicago skyline in the background. Later that day — inspired by a little summer magic and a whole lot of heart — we found ourselves tucked away by the river, finally saying those three little words. We’d both been feeling it for a while… just hadn’t said it out loud. Mike had been holding back (per Sarah’s “not yet!” directive), but of course, she couldn’t help herself and beat him to it — making it look like he was late to the love train she just jumped on. A little spontaneous, a lot overdue, and perfectly us. Summer love in Chicago? Unbeatable.

Chasing the golden hour, lawn concerts, and a Journey cover band? Say less. We had just bought our first home near the Dallas Arboretum, and this was one of those perfect fall nights that made it all feel real. We were still unpacking boxes… and falling more in love — with each other and our little corner of East Dallas. We still enjoy a good stroll around White Rock Lake — come visit us and join us for a walk in the greenery and flowers!

Sarah was determined to make Mike a true Texan — and honestly, he didn’t stand a chance. We went to a Cowboys game, they won (bless), and it felt like the football gods themselves were giving this thing their blessing. He cheered, we high-fived, and she decided to keep him — even if his Chicago-born bones still flinch a little every time he puts on that star. How ’Bout Them Cowboys?!

This time, Mike got a taste of his own officiating — marrying his best friend (also Mike) to his incredible bride, Duygu (now Victoria). It was more than just a beautiful wedding; it was a full-circle moment. Best Friend Mike was the one who convinced our Mike (fondly called "Hot Mike" in the early days to avoid confusion in discussions) to move to Texas in the first place... so technically, he might be the reason we’re together. Sharing that night — one of the best of Mike’s (both) life — with Sarah meant everything. Between good drinks, bad dancing, and big love with lifelong friends, we were building memories and blending lives in the best kind of way. His “little circle of paradise” got a little bigger that night.

Mike’s first Austin City Limits (ACL)! We’ve made it a tradition to go every year since — and yes, we’ve already got tickets for Fall 2025. Something about the laid-back vibes, the "weirdness" of Austin, the local friends we always find an excuse to see, and the non-stop funky tunes... we just can’t stay away. Couples that festival together, stay together.

Mike’s first state fair in Texas: corny? Absolutely. But also the perfect excuse to eat our way into a coma with corn dogs, deep fried pho, and bananas foster sopapillas (oh my!). We ate, we laughed, we gained five pounds in one afternoon. And who knew we'd still be test driving cars two years later? Spoiler alert: he's still not decided which vehicle he's getting next.

Blame it all on my roots in Stillwater, America! We made a nostalgic stop at the Gamma Phi Beta house during Mike’s first visit to Oklahoma State — where orange runs deep and the Blevins family legacy is basically part of the campus tour. With her parents living just down the road in Choctaw, it’s always an easy jump to Boone Pickens Stadium for a game. The fall air was crisp, the vibes were high, and yes, she even got Mike into an orange OSU sweatshirt by the end of the evening. Orange Power!

Birthday weekend in Austin for the guy who loves funky streets, live tunes, and any excuse to be outside. We rolled in with a crew of friends, found tableside cocktails at a speakeasy on 6th Street, and danced through the weekend. Snapped this one in front of the Texas State Capitol before spending the day doing what Austin does best — soaking up sun, music, and a little bit of weird.

Our first big holiday together! We headed to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving at the Blevins’ house — complete with turkey (the food) and Turkey (our always nervous but very handsome doggo, Ranger). Full plates, full hearts, and one very lucky dog who got so many table scraps under the radar. Needless to say, Ranger is a big fan of "the dog resort where the treat lady (Sarah's mom) lives."

Can’t stop, won’t stop — our decade-younger concert crew is now part of the family. Every December, we throw a ridiculously festive ‘Kids Christmas’ weekend for our little music squad. Mike stepped into his role as ‘Dad’ and Sarah embraced her ‘Show Mom’ duties, and honestly, this quirky crew never looked back. Carriage rides, festive drinks, and trips to the Dallas Farmers Market — this tradition’s all about making memories, and we can’t wait to watch our friend-family grow over the years! They keep us young.

Valentine’s Day, round two. Mike surprised Sarah in the sweetest way by taking us back to Ida Claire, the Southern classic where we had our first date. With roses, a cozy table, and all the nostalgia, this angel of a human made it a celebration she’ll never forget. Safe to say, Sarah was already head over heels at this point. I mean, who couldn't love that face?

Don’t go chasing waterfalls… unless they’re as epic as this one! We were in Hawaii thanks to Sarah’s Presidents Club award — all-inclusive trip for two, yes please! Sure, we did a little networking, but mostly, Mike got to see a big part of Sarah's world. We hiked 7-mile trails (way harder than AllTrails led us to believe), soaked up the sun with coconuts in hand, and kissed under this incredible waterfall. And a little luxury treatment? Mike was getting used to it all too quickly!

Vegas, baby! Sarah hit a career milestone at the Stevie Sales and Customer Service Awards — Solution Engineer of the Year — and wanted to celebrate after the ceremony! We hit up Hell’s Kitchen (it was okay, but not life-changing), saw Deadmau5 in concert, and learned one very important thing: Vegas headliners don’t come on until 1AM, and we are officially too old for that. Still, we had an unforgettable time and a fountain of memories to match.

Snow gear on, Rocky Mountain views in the background — our first time in Colorado together, and it remains one of our favorite spots. Denver’s laid-back vibes, the artsy RiNo area, craft beer culture, and endless outdoor opportunities (hellooo, Estes Park) make it a city we can’t get enough of. And of course, we hit up Mike’s favorite cocktail bar, Death and Co., every time we’re in town. Snowy peaks and city streets — this place has our hearts.

Sarah's second birthday celebration with the two most important men in her life: Mike and Ranger. Ranger’s been dropping some serious hints to Mike about needing a forever dad — and at this point, none of us can picture life without each other. Looks like we're all in this for the long haul. Big sunny smiles for everyone!

Revisiting the Chicago Riverwalk — where we told each other "I love you" for the first time. We love visiting this vibrant city to see friends and family, soak in the summer sunshine, and create new memories together. We plan to make it a regular habit, hopefully avoiding the winter months (because, well… you know, cold misery). Summer in the Windy City with the people we love... perfection.

Back in Colorado — can you tell we love this place? We dressed to the nines for a cousin’s wedding at the stunning Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and somewhere between the vows, mountain air, and a stroll through Garden of the Gods, we caught ourselves wondering… could we really do this someday? Hint: we were fully in our love era.

Year two at ACL, and the vibes were immaculate. From Dua Lipa to Chappell Roan (girl power!) and Pretty Lights for Mike, the soundtrack was top-tier. We danced, we sang, we reunited with friends from around the country. Classic Austin delivered on the food trucks, the funky energy, and, of course, the eternal walk back to civilization — because nothing says 'festival' like a 3-mile trek home. Worth it? Always.

Spain, you stole our (shoe) soles — and our hearts. Our first international trip together (and Mike’s first time to Spain) took us from the vibrant streets of Madrid to the stunning courtyards of Córdoba, the magic of Granada, and even a detour to the Sierra Nevada mountains. We ate ham (jamón) at every meal (seriously), chased churros after midnight, and wandered until our shoes gave out. Safe to say, this country runs on passion, plazas, and pork — and we were all in. ¡Jamón for everyone!

Falling for Madrid — literally. We spent a golden autumn afternoon tossing leaves and making memories in Buen Retiro Park, with a professional photographer we found on a tourist website (because, let’s be real, asking strangers gets old). The shoot was so fun it got us dreaming: what if we actually got married here someday? Spoiler: we loved Petra so much, we brought her back for the Big Day. Spanish wedding? Sí, por favor.

Mike finally convinced this southern girl to lace up a pair of ice skates — and let’s just say, it was a journey. There was some wobbly starting, a fair share of clinging to the red whale chair (which, by the way, deserves an award for emotional support), and a whole lot of hand-holding along the way. But with Mike by her side, she finally found her groove on the ice. The rink was frozen, but our teamwork? Unstoppable. A determined student, a patient coach, and a holiday full of laughs — we unlocked dream team status in the most unexpected way. And little did she know, Mike was already planning a SHINY little something that would knock her skates off!

The night Mike proposed in our living room was perfect — even if he opened the ring box upside down (totally on-brand, right?). I OBVIOUSLY said yes, but made him get down on one knee a second time so I could soak in the moment. And because he's perfect, he totally obliged. We both walked away feeling like the luckiest people in the world.

Just two newly engaged lovebirds, venue-hopping across Spain in search of the perfect spot — and falling head over heels (again) in Toledo. We added two new cities (Barcelona and Toledo) to our growing list of Spanish adventures, touring more venues than we can count to make sure we found the perfect spot for our Big Day. With the charm of the old city, its quick hop from Madrid, and those unreal views across the river, Toledo stole our hearts and sealed the deal. Let’s just say… surprises are en camino, and this celebration is going to be one for the storybooks. ¡Qué viva el amor!

We had the chance to celebrate Mike’s 2024 wins at Gartner Winner’s Circle — and yes, he definitely took the Ray-Ban styling station a little too seriously. From sunset seafood dinners (all Mike, we know Sarah doesn't eat ocean critters), to sailing through the San Diego harbor, to spa day downtime, it was a trip to remember — even if the $25 personal pizzas weren't. The real highlight? A spontaneous dance moment caught on the corporate camera — proof that we’ll find the beat anywhere, anytime. Life moves fast… but we’re loving every step of the ride.