Charles and Michael met on Tinder in October of 2024. After Charles gave Michael multiple first date options -- Indian Food, Coffee, etc., they settled on the "Michael safe" choice of Bob Evans. After a few more dates, they made their relationship official on November 16, 2024.

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A month later, in December, Charles was ready to express his feelings to Michael and officially say "I love you" and planned to do so at Winterfest at Kings Island. They hopped in the car, prepared for a fun, romantic night, when things took a turn for the worst. After a car accident and Michael's impromptu introduction to Charles' mom, the "I love yous" were shared later that evening at home rather than under the Christmas lights at Winterfest.

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Charles and Michael continued their relationship for the next year, enjoying playing board games, cooking, baking, and mastering sourdough. They enjoyed trips to Hocking Hills, New York and Washington DC. The ultimate adventure was a friend group, all inclusive trip to Cancun, Mexico where Charles planned to ask Michael to marry him. In true Michael and Charles fashion, something had to go awry.

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After their layover flight to Charlotte was delayed, meaning they wouldn't make their connection, they had to book a later flight to arrive in Cancun a day late. After arriving to their connection in Dallas and checking into a comped hotel room and eating a super fancy hotel dinner, Charles finally popped the question in the hotel room on October 21, 2025. (Spoiler alert - Michael said yes, and for the record, they did make it to Cancun and had a great time!)

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Since their engagement. they made the crazy decision to pack up and move across the country while planning a wedding! With plans to move to Albuquerque by wedding day and leaving Dayton behind, they are super excited to come together as one and eventually start their own family one day.