A coffee date… and the rest is (almost) history!

Melissa almost backed out of meeting Mike — nerves got the best of her that day. Thankfully, she didn’t, and the two ended up sharing an easy, laughter-filled coffee date before Mike headed back to D.C.

Their second date didn’t go quite as smoothly — Melissa was completely exhausted from life and work, and Mike left thinking she wasn’t interested. A few days later, Melissa reached out to apologize for nearly falling asleep, and the spark was rekindled.

Not long after, they strolled through Reynolda Gardens, where they took their first photo together in front of the waterfall — a memory that would become one of many favorites.

At the time, Mike had already bought a house in Pfafftown and was preparing to relocate, but fate had other plans. A call came from the U.S. Naval Observatory — where the Vice President resides — offering him a position he couldn’t turn down. Despite the 333 miles between them, Melissa and Mike chose to make a long-distance relationship work.

Three years later, that distance led to a moment neither will ever forget: Mike proposed beneath a breathtaking cherry blossom Christmas tree at the Vice President’s residence — and Vice President Kamala Harris herself congratulated them with a photo!

Now, after miles, memories, and countless FaceTime calls, Mike and Melissa are thrilled to finally celebrate their love with family and friends on December 27, 2025.