How it all began
“We’ve challenged, inspired, and lifted each other for 15 years—and in that time, we’ve become who we are because of each other. It hasn’t always been easy.”
Michael & Tina
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It was the last day of school, and summer was just beginning. Tina’s cousin invited her to a BBQ at Lincoln Park, a casual get-together with all of his friends. She knew most of them—faces she had grown up with, laughed with, and spent time around for years. But there was one person she had never seen before. Michael. He jokes to this day that he first saw her on the tire swing, and while Tina laughs it off, they both know there was an instant spark. That undeniable, can’t-ignore-it kind of moment when two people just notice each other—without even meaning to. Tina messaged their mutual friends and asked, “Who is that?” To her surprise, they all knew him well—Michael had been part of their circle since childhood, yet somehow, their paths had never crossed. It felt like a coincidence, but maybe it wasn’t. Word got back to Michael that Tina had been asking about him. He did what any modern guy would do—he found her on Facebook. The message popped up, casual yet intentional, and after a few back-and-forths, Tina handed over her number.
What started as small talk quickly turned into something more. At the time, Tina was away at PLU for Healthcare Week, and every single day, they talked—texting, calling, getting to know each other beyond the surface. It felt effortless. Natural. Like they had known each other for years, even though they were just beginning. When she got back, there was no hesitation—they planned their first official date. And from that moment on, they were inseparable. Beach days. Road trips. Late-night drives. A spontaneous trip to California. Meeting each other’s families. Adventure after adventure, moment after moment, something real was building between them.
Then came the Space Needle. Michael had it all planned—a romantic dinner, roses, a breathtaking view of Seattle from 500 feet in the air. With the city lights twinkling below them, he asked her the question that would seal their story: "Will you be my girlfriend?"
And the rest? Well, it's just the beginning. ❤️
OUR UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE STORY
Over a decade of love—15 years together, and yet, it never really feels that long. Maybe it’s because every step of the way, we’ve been dating a new, evolved version of each other. Michael and Tina are both driven, ambitious, and always chasing growth—so you can imagine the kind of energy that brings to a relationship. High risk, big dreams, and an unshakable belief in each other—it hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it.
We’ve never followed the traditional path.
We’ve done things our way. We moved in together early, traveled the world side by side—a month in Vietnam, countless adventures across the U.S. and beyond. We partied hard, studied hard, worked hard— and earned everything we have together. We've built a life that reflects who we are, not what was expected. Through all the ups and downs, we’ve grieved, cried, and held each other through the lowest moments. And we’ve celebrated every win—big and small—like it meant everything. Because to us, it did. And yes, we’re opposites in so many ways.
What Michael lacks, Tina brings, and what Tina struggles with, Michael balances. We’ve learned to lean into each other’s strengths—and learn from each other’s weaknesses. We don’t always agree (let’s be real), but we always grow. That push-and-pull has shaped a love that’s real, strong, and deeply rooted in respect. At the center of it all is our growing family. We prayed for a healthy baby, and now we have a 3-year-old who changed our world. Becoming parents has been the greatest adventure yet—and we’re excited to grow our family even more.
Family means everything to us. Having one, nurturing it, and continuing this journey as partners and parents is what we look forward to most. We’ve challenged, inspired, and lifted each other for 15 years—and in that time, we’ve become who we are because of each other. It hasn’t always been easy.
But love like this? It’s always been worth it. 🫶🫶🫶