Michael and Courtney first crossed paths in 2008, introduced by her step-brother Hayden. Back then, Michael was a freshman and Courtney was still in 8th grade. Though they knew each other throughout their high school and college years, they remained acquaintances, never quite close.

It wasn't until after college, when everyone returned home to Pleasanton, that their story really began. Their circle of friends started spending more time together—whether it was trips to Lake Tahoe, Lake Shasta, Lake Tulloch, or Coachella. During these adventures, Michael and Courtney formed an unexpected friendship, one that deepened as the years passed. She spent time at Michael's family home, where his parents, Beth and Dave, welcomed her with open arms.

A few years later, life brought them both to San Francisco. Michael moved into the iconic Greenwich House, a bustling apartment shared with six of his closest friends, while Courtney lived just a few blocks away in the Marina with her best friend, Laurier. Naturally, the girls spent many nights at the Greenwich House, watching movies, playing games, and joining in on the parties. Somewhere in those moments, Michael and Courtney’s bond grew.

Then one night, Courtney took a chance and made the first move. Their friendship turned into something more, and after dating on and off for about a year, Michael finally made it official—the night of Taylor’s 60s-themed birthday party. The very next morning, hungover and groggy, Michael surprised Courtney by inviting her to his cousin’s wedding. With little time to spare, they threw on their best outfits and spent the night dancing and laughing—sealing their fate as a couple.

The rest, as they say, is history.

They spent two more wonderful years in the city, where Michael, to everyone’s surprise, fell in love with Courtney’s fluffy cat, Waldo, and became a cat dad for life. Together, they thrived during COVID spending most of their time during lockdown with their two best friends, Laurier and Griffin, crammed into their 700 sq ft apartment. Then, one day, they made the spontaneous decision to move to San Diego. They settled into their first apartment together where the turf meets the surf in Del Mar, a charming beach town that quickly stole their hearts.

Three years later, Michael and Courtney decided it was time to return to the Bay Area, ready to plant roots and build their future surrounded by the friends and family who had always been there.

These days, Michael and Courtney love spending their time traveling, eating seafood, playing video games, rating IMDb’s top 100 movies, and, of course, playing with their beloved cat, Waldo. They can't wait to kick off the rest of their lives with all of their closest friends and family in the beautiful California desert!