It all began by God’s design in September 2023, at a wedding in Sydney, Australia, where fate gently nudged Michael and Judy into each other's orbit. The spark was immediate, though neither of them knew it yet. The very next day, they found themselves crossing paths again at church, exchanging glances that held a promise neither could quite place. Michael, soon after, returned to Canberra, while Judy went back to Brooklyn, New York, but their connection wasn’t something that could fade with distance.

They began following each other on social media, and a few brief exchanges on Instagram turned into deeper conversations. Before long, their chats moved to iMessage, and then to Facetime, bridging the gap between two worlds. Each conversation, each laugh shared through a screen, brought them closer, and with every call, they both felt the pull growing stronger.

In May 2024, Michael flew to Oakland, CA for his cousin's wedding, and unbeknownst to Judy, he had more than just a family celebration on his mind. This was the five-day trip where he would ask her to be his girlfriend, meet her family, and quietly inform them of his grand intention: to one day marry their daughter.

Even though Michael returned to Australia, their connection only deepened as they continued to bond over Facetime. Their relationship continued to blossom across time zones. Every call, every conversation, felt like another piece of the puzzle falling into place, bringing them closer despite the miles between them. Meanwhile, Judy made plans to visit Michael in Australia, and he made a request: for her to bring an outfit for a special awards night he was attending, and help him prepare a speech. What Judy didn’t realize was that she was unknowingly helping him craft the words he would use to propose.

September 2024 arrived, and Judy landed in Australia to visit. Days later, with a heart full of love and anticipation, Michael finally summoned the courage to propose. The rest of the story, of course, will be shared in the toasts—but for now, one thing is certain…

See you at the altar!