Clear Cut Couples: Anna and Michael

Anna and Michael met almost 17 years ago, which is over half of their lives! They met in high school math class, and have been close friends until they actually began dating about three and a half years ago!

Their first date was something they both really enjoyed and has been a staple type of date night in their relationship ever since!! Michael picked her up and surprised her with sunflowers! They drove to have dinner at a fun/local Italian restaurant in their neighborhood of Queens. Dinner ended up being so fun and after a couple of hours (and glasses of house wine), they made their way to take a walk in a nearby park. It definitely felt different going from close friends to dating, but they both had so much fun hanging out and could not get enough of one another's company!! They began dating in June 2016, which makes it over three and a half years to date!

They’ve known each other for so long and have experienced so many life moments together. Some of the first trips that they’ve taken actually ended up in Anna either getting super sick or injured, but Michael would always go out of his way to make her feel better or help them have a good time! A lot of the best memories together have been plans either going awry or finding a way off the beaten path of what they had envisioned the plan or trip to be like. Each time they found their own alternative or just explored a new place. Anna says, “My favorite part about being together is that we can truly laugh about everything and have fun in the most mundane of places. We also recently welcomed a Shiba Inu puppy into our lives and that has created a whole new level of fun, craziness, and unexpected moments. We can't wait to see what the future holds!” AWWW! Even when things don’t go according to plan, Anna and Michael are there for each other and that’s all that matters!!

Michael's proposal was SO sweet and meaningful. It was super cold and chilly in NYC on MLK Day 2020. Michael is not one to make extensive plans on days off, and he also does not love the concept of brunch (he thinks it's not a real thing!) He had the idea of having brunch on the afternoon of MLK day and stopping by a park in Brooklyn to see an exhibition (which Anna later learned did not exist!). Michael works for the NYC Parks Department, so Anna assumed that this was another one of their regular trips to check out something he had learned about at work. They drove to the park which was super empty and nice, and Anna actually recalled that it was the park her mom used to spend time with when she was a newborn baby. They made their way to the center of the park and Michael stopped her and started speaking and saying some really sweet things. All of a sudden, he was down on one knee and proposed! She was surprised and emotional (in a good way!) She also noticed someone bundled up, trying to remain hidden in the bushes nearby. Anna quickly learned that Michael had asked her best friend to be there and take some photos of the proposal. Anna of course said yes, and they later celebrated in Brooklyn with some food and drinks. It was a very sweet moment, and she would not have had it any other way.

Anna says, “My reaction to the ring was pure joy. I am very picky and a minimalist in terms of jewelry, so I had shared my preferences with Michael. I loved the idea of a single solitaire oval held up but a very thin gold band. I was so happy that Michael took my suggestions in terms of design and that he worked with Olivia. The entire process and ring outcome could not have been more perfect for us.”

They definitely would like to get married in the warmer weather and would love something relaxed and outdoors. They want to enjoy their engagement at least for a few weeks before they start planning the big day! Congrats Anna and Michael! We are SO happy for you!!

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