Our Story

Mandy’s side of the story:

When I was in high school, I itched to get out of Cincinnati to move to a big city–I was sure it would be New York or LA, but Drexel University caught my eye and Philadelphia was the perfect size for me.  I thought it would be a great “transitional” city to start out in, and that graduation would lead me to Hollywood to write movies.

It was a good thing I spent 6 months interning in Hollywood right before my senior year, because I discovered I just wasn’t that into LA.  When my internship ended, I came back to Philly a little confused as to where I would go and what I would do for a living after graduation.

Mike stepped into my life at exactly the moment I needed him the most.

He helped me discover my passions and encouraged me to explore new interests and hobbies.  Even though my career path wasn’t exactly set in stone when we met, Mike and I had very similar dreams, goals, and values that has helped me grow and succeed.  I knew I was in love with him when I realized how crushed I would be if he ever got sick of making the 30 minute drive to see me a few times a week–so I brought my car to Philly just so I could hold on to him!

One of the things I respect most about Mike is the way he can fully commit to a goal and see it through till the end.  He is generous, patient and has a wonderfully goofy side to him.  Mike is a wonderful doggie daddy, an avid gardener, and an excellent sous chef in the kitchen (now that he can make more than condensed soup, that is)!  I admire Mike’s daily passion and optimism…it pushes me to be a better, brighter person and I’m so excited to keep him forever & ever!

Mike’s take on things:

I moved out to New Jersey to take a job with Lockheed Martin in the summer of 2006.  It was a huge transition in both distance and lifestyle from where I had grown up.  It was the first time I was truly on my own (seriously …  I didn’t know anyone within 500 miles of my new life).   Some work friends got me into cycling and I started planting every kind of pepper and tomato I could on my tiny second floor balcony that got no sun (it is the Garden state after all).  After learning to live my life as a single guy with his own apartment , I realized I needed more in my life.  I think anyone who spends a year in a new place far from home and has a job with demanding hours would want to find that person who tells them grapes for breakfast and condensed soup for lunch and dinner is not a good idea.

Mandy and I clicked on the very first date.  I took her out to Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion and we truly connected from the very beginning.  There was never that moment when I thought we would run out of things to say or that little quirk that might put a person off.  I didn’t even mind the half hour drives to the city to see her (she did not have a car at the time).  Mandy was a college student when we met and she had taken a job as a dog walker in between classes.  Before some of our dates, she would take me on walks with some of her clients’ dogs.  This really allowed me to see the city from the perspective of a person who had been living there a few years and that is when I fell in love with Mandy (and Philadelphia).

I have never felt more comfortable with anyone in my life.  She continues to inspire and challenge me to think in new ways.   Mandy has opened my eyes to so many things that I had never tried before I met her.  Whether it is sushi, good wine, striving to dress classier,  adopting (and learning to love) dogs, enhancing my love of gardening or pushing me to be a more responsible, caring and loving person, I owe much of my growth in the last couple years to her.  There is no question that while we have different personalities, we compliment each other completely and I am honored to have her be my wife.