In Mike’s words: Megg is a hard-working, talented, young woman who is quick-witted and loves to laugh. Growing up between Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, and San Jose, she embodies the ever-changing flows of the ocean and the pioneering spirit of the Silicon Valley. Her analytical, thoughtful, ever-planning nature enriches all of my days, and she is always looking for ways to improve the lives of those around her. Megg means so much to me—I continue to be enthralled by her loving smiles, bubbling laughter, and desire to bring new knowledge to those around her.
In Megg’s words: Mike is a warm-hearted, congenial California gentleman with an easy smile and a ready laugh. Descended from a long line of Bay Area natives, he carries on a family legacy of intellectual brilliance and hard-working determination. I fell in love with Mike for his charming, friendly sincerity and his sense of humor, and he continues to surprise me daily with thoughtfulness, commitment, and intelligence.
Our passions and dreams continue to grow, as does our love for one another.
Our story
We first met in San Jose, California, at Union Middle School in 2002: Mike was starting his eighth-grade year and was "that tall guy" in the brass section with the trumpet; Megg was in seventh grade and was the only clarinetist who specialized in the alto variety. We were acquaintances at best, but mostly just strangers.
Fast forward to 2004, now at Leigh High School: Mike happily continued his second year in the LHS Marching Band; Megg tried it out for her freshman year before deciding it wasn't her thing. We ended up with several mutual friends, however, who brought us together and we became fast friends. Our lives grew tighter and tighter intertwined through friends, church, music, and school. In 2006, Mike asked Megg on their first date, but the second date didn't happen until two and a half years later! In March of 2008, a few weeks after that second date, Megg asked Mike to go steady.
That same year, Megg joined Mike at San Jose State University, and we competed academically in our respective fields, and supported one another in our career development and various extracurriculars (including a seemingly interminable six weeks apart as Megg studied abroad). We both graduated from university in 2012: Megg in August, and Mike in December. Throughout our academic careers, we discussed our futures, our dreams, and our plans, and had frank discussions about getting engaged.
Megg finally scheduled a date for the proposal, and Mike got to work planning the perfect day of activities. It was picturesque and everything we love to do: cavorting around all day at the California Academy of Sciences, before changing into fancy clothes at the The Hotel California, and indulging in a delicious dinner at Le Grand Café—where Megg's sister Sara appeared out of nowhere to photograph the scene as Mike got down on one knee.