Our first date took place at the original Torchy's in Austin, Texas. Mike was significantly late, and Katie abided. Katie introduced Mike to the miracle of food truck dining. To impress Katie, Mike downed an entire serving of Diablo sauce. This was a foreshadowing of just how important food would become in our relationship. There was magic in those tacos, and magic in the air under a beautifully clear Austin night sky.
We had the opportunity to join a Mardi Gras crew in 2019 with our very closest friends. Our relationship has never been about convention, so the allure of proposing on a Mardi Gras float in the middle of parade was too tempting for Mike to pass up. After 8 years of blissful cohabitation, Katie was completely surprised as Mike got down on one knee while Lucinda Williams' "Rightiously" provided the perfect soundtrack. Most important outcome - Katie said "yes".
The right ring is a very important choice. Luckily, Mike had the good sense to sit back while Katie created one of her own design
There is nothing better than knowing that the person you love is truly your ride or die, partner in crime, and someone who gets you fully and completely.
If you know us, you know that our relationship has a rich history of friendly wagers. Sometimes you end up at Town Lake in the chicken outfit for losing a wing-eating contest, and other times you bake the cake when you get pummeled in Galaga. We always bet on each other.
Since we started our relationship living in two different cities, we had to find extra ways to show how much we meant to each other. Greeting cards became a very big thing for both of us. We'd hide them in each others bags or leave them behind when it was time to leave. Hallmark is very fond of us.
Travel is a very big thing for us we often say that we are the ultimate travel partners. We're imminently compatible and have so many places to see together.
Music has played a huge role in our courtship and life together - there are just too many concerts to list. We started out taking annual concert road trips to celebrate Katie's birthday (KatieFest!) with excellent live music in interesting cities. If there is good music to be heard, we're likely already in the crowd.
We regularly marvel at the luck of finding each other in an ocean of people after all of these years. One of our greatest personal decisions was to recognize and accept the awesomeness in our partnership.
We don't have kids, but we do have a house full of animals and wouldn't have it any other way. At current count we have 8 dogs and 3 cats. This is Felipe. Katie found him on San Felipe and brought him home. He decided he likes it here. When a vet lives in the house, this happens. Alot.
Mike was a life-long bachelor who had never even lived with anyone. Katie had a 15 year marriage that was about 13 years too long. We're learning from each other, refining the art of compromise, and continuing to appreciate the happiness we find in the simple act of being together.