Michael and Katie met in the winter of 2019 when Katie was home for the holidays. The two immediately found a genuine spark during late night conversations over the army, yoga and the philosophy of life. After returning oversees to Colombia, Katie continued talking with Michael, and as the pandemic of 2020 hit the world, the couple found comfort and solace in their new friendship, being able to chat and check in on one and other, thousands of miles away. When Katie eventually had to return to the States later that year the two went on their first "official" date and have been basically inseparable ever since. While the outside world was struggling with the weight of the pandemic, this couple was able to cozy up in the basement, forget the rest of the world, and binge watch Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones while falling more and more in love. After a short time it was clear, this was a relationship meant to last and on New Years Eve 2021 Michael asked Katie for her hand in marriage in the perfect place, the mountains from where Katie was raised right next to the frozen river as the first snow of the year fell all around them. Here we stand today, proof that love can blossom even in the most stressful and uncertain of times.