Michelle

It was spring of 2008. They didn't know yet, but the buildings they each worked in were side-by-side in Newport Beach. Michelle was a merchandiser who frequently came and went each day. Coincidentally, Joe's corner office's window faced her parking spot. And soon it would begin… Only a few months later they both joined a new softball league and started on the same team. They were both dating others at the time, so it was a slow beginning. The following season, as fall came and went, their lives were changing. As they became friends they realized that their birthdays were nearly the same - his December 22nd, 1980, hers December 23rd, 1980. Was this a sign? We think so! Michelle asked Joe if she could buy him a birthday beer, and he accepted cleverly asking if he could return the offer. They shot pool after work the next day. That was their first date. Joe was happily surprised to see that she could clean up from a ponytail and cut-off sweatpants! (She did it on purpose; rocked a pink pencil skirt, a v-neck tee, and knee-high black boots! Apparently it worked.) As we can see, the first date went well. Their next meet-up was at a burger joint. She put him to the test with her thoroughly detailed mental list of questions. After he passed each and every question with flying colors, Michelle texted her sister Nicole, "Holy crap, I could marry this dude!" Alas, a year passed… They celebrated their 29th birthdays together, and decided this was a good thing. The following year Michelle left the beach and moved to Irvine to live with Joe. To this day, they still play softball together. They have to kitties, Baby Pants and Jetty P. Fish, whom they love very much. They enjoy road trips, camping, snowboarding, tennis, golf, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, traveling to Michigan in the summers, vacations with his family, and enjoy the adventures of life together. To quote the majestic and agreeably transcending words of the astute Michael J. Medor, "Life is good."