We met in January 2020, just before the world shut down. The weekend we returned from Michael’s first trip to Florida, COVID-19 exploded, and we shifted from daily time together to hours-long FaceTime calls – watching movies, studying, and further getting to know each other. As the world adjusted, so did we. From road-tripping to Asheville to see the fall leaves, to countless dinners at Satay Thai, our 2.5 years in Nashville were amazing. After graduation we packed up and moved to our new home: my hometown of Tampa, Florida.

Starting medical school at USF gave us the perfect opportunity to move to Tampa together. For the first time, we officially lived together. Asher on Water Street was our home for two years, and we watched downtown Tampa flourish – from weekend hockey games to eating at our favorite restaurants throughout South Tampa. Michael quickly bonded with my family and hometown friends, and I reconnected with lifelong friends, while building new relationships in medical school.

By 2024, after 4 years together, I was dropping not-so-subtle hints about getting engaged. I had no idea that Michael had been planning the proposal since the previous October. His family was visiting for what I thought was one last trip before his sister welcomed her first baby. Not so coincidentally, my brother was in town “for the Lightning game.” That night, we went to Boulon, one of our favorite restaurants, to celebrate everyone being in town.

I was more focused on the Lightning playoff game than anything else, and Michael told me that his family was parking and would join us shortly. The hostess almost ruined the surprise by having us wait to sit until his family was there, but they managed to seat us without spoiling it. When I opened my menu, I did not notice the letter tucked under the menu and ordered a drink. Michael recommended I check the “specials”, and I saw the note. As I read it, he got down on 1 knee and proposed. Second later, both of our families emerged from a nearby room, followed by our friends, who joined us for a perfect night – with the hockey game still on in the background.

With medical school still underway, we planned for a two-year engagement. As I start my final year of school, we are moving in with my parents. Ivy and her siblings will be reunited and living together full time. My mom has been an incredible help with all things related to wedding planning. Our big day falls less than a week before I graduate from medical school. We look forward to celebrating our special day with everyone!