Have you met someone that surprised you? Someone that you least expect to fall in love with? Someone you never thought you’d find yourself lying in his arms on a cold night?
Honestly, this kind of ‘Love’ takes my breath away because sometimes, the perfect person for you is who you least expected it to be.
Life may take you to different places, but only love can bring you HOME.
Here is Sela and Micheal’s mesmerizing love story plus a bonus tear-jerking video for all of you… Get those Kleenex ready. Read ’til the end
How did it all start?
Michael: “We met at work. She scheduled a meeting with me as a general meet-and-greet, but I kind of pushed that off onto someone else. What a mistake that was. She walked by my office and I just screamed something (I am sure super smooth) at her. Luckily, she rescheduled and we got some time to sit down and talk. It was from day one I met my partner when I saw her drive, passion, and talent to perfect her craft. I asked her if she would be interested in taking pictures on a rooftop for a clothing line a good friend and I were launching, and she was totally into it. I met my muse that day. So I guess I met different parts of her at different times.”
Sela: “I started work at PetSmart in early August of 2017. My manager had set up a “meet and greet” meeting with Michael, and his coworker Maggie, as she knew I had goals of moving onto the creative team. When I got to the meeting, Maggie let me know that Michael couldn’t make it (I later learned he simply didn’t feel he had time to meet with a recent-graduate-new-hire). As Maggie was showing me around the team, we passed by Michael’s office and he surprised me by rather loudly blurting out “you could be a model!”. I was flattered but uncomfortable–Maggie waved him away, telling me not to worry about him. But there it was. I didn’t know it yet, but I was hooked.”
When did you guys felt that certain connection that only the two of you can explain?
Michael: “We took a trip to Europe. I figured, it was inevitable I would be walking with her down some cobblestone street in Paris and immediately know she was the one. But it was actually on a quick trip to Barcelona when I realized…she was the one. It was the most perfect night. We had the most amazing nap earlier in the day, I watched her get ready for our date, and we took one of those rickshaw bicycles to a Paella restaurant on the beach. The food was amazing. Seafood, champagne, dessert. We dipped our toes in the Mediterranean Sea and I took a picture of the moon. because I wanted to remember that exact moment. I didn’t know I was going to marry her, but I knew that she would be an important person in my life.”
Sela: “I’m not sure if there was one definitive moment. I’ve maintained that my heart knew he was the one a little before my head did–especially during the somewhat tumultuous time leading up to the start of our romance. But I feel like one particularly definitive moment in our relationship was on our trip to Europe. It was a time to purely enjoy each other and our surroundings–and the purity and passion of the that was incredible. I wanted to do that with the rest of my life with this man.”
Okay, now I’m hooked too… you seemed so deeply connected to each other, are you friends before you became lovers?
Michael: “Oh yeah. We were friendly. Said hi to each other from time-to-time. I would get excited when I would pass her in the hallways…but then started talking a lot more frequently. I started asking her questions. A LOT of questions. And we would talk day and night just about random things from favorite ice cream to life dreams. So yes, we were definitely friends who grew into best friends who are fortunate to now be lovers.”
Sela: “Yes. There was always an attraction, but I was seeing someone else at the time we met, so it started off as friends (I was in fact, kidding myself that that’s *all* we were). We went to lunch, happy hours and got drinks after 5, we’d text 24/7, and found any excuse to collaborate at work. I was never more excited to be at work as I was during this time. I got in early and stayed late, just to see him a little longer. It was only a matter of months before Michael and me started dating.”
That’s my guy! High-five there, Michael! haha! Let’s talk about your first date…
Michael: Okay, this one is complicated. I don’t want to say I tricked her, but I asked her to happy hour, under the guise of a casual after work drink. She got there, and it was a beautiful restaurant, and there were two glasses of champagne sitting on the table. We had a corner table, and the staff treated us like VIP, dropped off a hand written card. She still tells me it was her best first date ever…so I consider that to be true.
Sela: Our first date was by far, the best first date I’ve ever had. It was early on in our friendship. And at the time I arrived, I actually didn’t realize that it was, in fact a date. He had asked me to happy hour, but wouldn’t tell me the location. I hesitantly agreed, never expecting the thoughtful and romantic date that was planned for us. Champagne was waiting at the table and we had an amazing meal and talked for hours.
Wow, I’m shookt! This is every girl’s dream! I can only imagine how lovely that night was. Do you have more likes and similarities? or are you perfectly opposite?
Michael: I think we enjoy the same things, Espressos, laying on the couch, brunch, fashion, dogs, travel. But in terms of personality, we differ in many ways. She is composed and independent. I am emotional and an attention seeker. But that’s what a relationship is, a balancing act. Feeding off each other.
Sela: We like a lot of the same things, design, and fashion, music. We have similar political views and tastes in food and art. We like adventure and travel, and want to see the world. But we challenge each other and enjoy a healthy debate.
Learning from each other is, and continues to be an incredible journey.
Now that restored my faith in love, are you planning to have ‘little Sela and little Michael too after marriage or anytime soon?”
Michael: “Haha, the real questions. Before I met Sela, I honestly thought I was done with kids. Almost adamant about it. But one night, we were having dinner, and she just confidently looked at me and said, I can imagine myself having children with you. I was not nervous or hesitant and replied with a simple…yes. I don’t know if it will be anytime soon, but time is relative. Just the thought of being with someone I can build a family with is so wonderfully fulfilling.”
Sela: “Not anytime soon. I’m still not 100% convinced I want kids–I never have until I met Michael. But I can see myself building a family with him. He’s already a great dad, and he makes me think about wanting to be a mother. I’ve truly never felt that primal feeling of wanting to have children with someone–it’s daunting but exciting.“
Let’s talk about the ‘BIG DAY’ When are you getting married?
Michael: “Sometime in 2020. We haven’t set a date yet, but we are both methodical in thinking and want it to be perfect place, time, and people. And I am saving some money to have donkeys there to serve our guests champagne.”
Sela: “We haven’t picked a solid date, but are shooting for mid-year 2020. If it all goes as I intend, we’ll need to do some saving ;)”
You two looks so perfectly compatible, how do you keep the fire burning?
Michael: “It has been over a year now, which may not seem like a long time, but time is relative, and believe we have been together lifetimes before. Physical intimacy, but also emotional fulfillment. She leaves me these sweet notes that I find that absolutely melt my heart and there is only one person that can hold me the way that she can. Had to lock that down. She is my thrill.”
Sela: “We have been together for almost a year. We grow stronger every day, and I look forward to continuing to learn about him, and how to be the best partner I can be.”
What made you realize that you want to spend the rest of your life with him/her?
Michael: I think it was a culmination of many things. She accepted and spent time with my daughter. She taught me patience. She motivated me. She pushed me to take a chance on my career. She was by my side when I was seriously ill and going through treatment. She held me when I could barely move. She accepted me for who I was, who I am, and who I want to be. She was so excited for me to meet her family. She brought me food when I wasn’t feeling well. And the way she wears my clothes. Damn, she looks so good. I know it all isn’t about looks, but she is seriously the prettiest person I have met in real life.
Sela: There was no one thing. It’s all the little things that make up the incredible man that he is. His creativity, his sensitivity, tenacity, and passion. Seeing that manifest in a million little ways over the sweet time we spent leading up to our engagement was all I ever needed–so when he asked to marry me, asked to spend the rest of his life with me, it was a natural and easy yes.
Speaking of the proposal, let’s talk about that shining-shimmering diamond engagement ring! How did you find us?
Michael: “I have a friend in NYC that told me about a place that could build the exact ring I wanted with a Tiffany Cushion and beautiful “conflict free” diamond. I was able to customize every detail and appreciate the collaboration with jewelers at Brillianteers.”
Now, that’s a ring!!!
Who chose the design?
Sela: Michael chose the design. He has incredible taste and style, so it was no surprise that the cut and the style of the ring is chic, elegant, and minimal–all aspects of style and fashion that we both admire and strive for. It’s kind of crazy, I hadn’t really thought much about what style of ring I’d want–but Michael knew what I wanted before even I did–because when I saw it, I knew it was perfect.
What can you say about the ring when he gave it to you?
Sela: “It’s beautiful and perfect and everything I didn’t even know I wanted.”
How did he surprise you?
Sela: “I didn’t know he was planning to propose until the morning of Christmas day 2018, in Spokane. We were staying in a hotel, and Christmas morning, I saw him suspiciously put something small in his pocket. I looked at him inquisitively, but he tactfully changed the subject. Throughout the day I remembered the strange incident earlier that morning, and on several occasions jokingly went to reach into his pocket (I did not at this point think it was a ring, but perhaps a separate Christmas present he planned to give me later that day). But as the day went on, the mysterious pocket-object did not present itself…and I become more and more suspicious. Soon before dinner, I just had a sense something was coming. I texted my best friend, telling her that I thought Michael was going to propose. About an hour after that, before dinner, we stepped outside, and he stopped me. He pulled out the ring, asked me. It was simple and beautiful, and I was with all the people I love most in the world. I’ll never forget it.”
Okay, as promised… here is the tear-jerking video that Michael prepared for Sela…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7D7YrWO9MI