🌟 How We Met – Crossing Bridges for Concerts & Chance Encounters

Felicity: It was just another blazing hot July afternoon in St. Pete, Florida. Little did I know, this day would be anything but typical. With an extra ticket to the Slightly Stoopid concert in hand, thanks to my friend Vanessa, I was the only one ready to spontaneously cross the bridge from Tampa. Little did I expect this solo adventure would lead me to Mike.

Mike: That afternoon, I was hanging out at The Avenue, a popular spot in St. Pete. I noticed a new face among the familiar crowd. Little did I know my curiosity about this newcomer would change my life.

Felicity: Something about Mike stood out when he approached our table. Our first conversation was short but definitely left an impression. When I mentioned I was from Massachusetts, we quickly connected over our admiration for Tom Brady – a rare find in Tampa Bay at the time.

Mike: I remember being impressed by her passion for the GOAT. And when I said I was from Michigan, she used her hand to show me a map of the state / her “mitten” knowledge serving as a guide to where my friends lived in Michigan. – that was both creative and hilarious.

Felicity: As everyone rushed to finish their drinks for the concert, I threw out a casual invite to Mike. He opted to stay back, but I got a Facebook friend request from him the next day, followed by an invite to hang out again.

Mike: Sending that friend request was a no-brainer. I remember thinking, ‘I’ve got to see her again.’ It turned out we had 12 mutual friends – a good sign we moved in similar circles.

Felicity: I was intrigued but cautious. A quick background check with our mutual friends – six girls and six guys – gave me the green light. The girls vouched that he was a g, and the guys’ enthusiastic responses like ‘That’s my bro!’ and ‘Tell the mayor I say hi!’ painted the picture of a well-liked guy in St. Pete.

Felicity:  To my surprise, we had 12 mutual friends, a mix of six girls and six guys. Before agreeing to a date, I did my due diligence. I messaged our mutual female friends first to ensure he was not an ex-boyfriend or a serial killer. The verdict? “He’s a good guy, genuine guy.” The absence of red flags and unanimous approval was reassuring from the ladies.

Of course, I cannot discount my male friends’ opinions, which surprisingly were in tune with “That’s my bro!’, “Mowtown Mike,” “Tell the mayor I say hi!”. It turns out Mike was known as the “mayor” of St. Pete, a beloved figure and a true ‘bro’s bro.’ 

Mike: Being known as the ‘mayor’ of St. Pete has its perks, but I was more excited about getting to know Felicity. 

Felicity: When Mike asked me out on a date, I was filled with a mix of excitement and curiosity. Dating the ‘mayor’ of St. Pete? That was something I hadn’t anticipated!

Together: That’s how our story began – a chance encounter, a Facebook connection, and the beginning of something we never saw coming but now can’t imagine being without.

🍣Our First Date – Sushi, Sarcasm, and Synchronicities

Felicity: Picture this: The Lure, a charming sushi spot, just a short walk from my place. This was the setting for our first official date. In a playful nod to my reputation, I arrived a fashionable two minutes late.

Mike: I was there, a bit early, excited and a tad nervous. When Felicity walked in, fashionably late, of course, the wait suddenly felt worth it.

Felicity: Our conversation was this delightful mix of surprising coincidences and easy banter. We discovered we’re both the eldest siblings and shared this unusual commonality – both of us were pudgy babies at 8 pounds, 11 ounces!

Mike: And talk about fate – our fathers and brothers all share the middle name, William. It felt like the universe had been aligning our paths all along.

Felicity: As a devoted Tom Brady fan, I found it captivating to learn about Mike’s days in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Brady played college ball.

Mike: I loved seeing her passion for sports – it made our conversation even more lively and engaging.

Felicity: Later, at Cru Cellars, I insisted on paying. That’s when I disclosed my love for coupons, embarking on a 20-minute search mission through my phone for my CL Deal.

Mike: Watching her hunt for the coupon was amusing and charming in its own way. I admired her determination, even as I waited with a mix of amusement and slight impatience.

Felicity: As the evening drew to a close, Mike, ever the gentleman, offered to drive me the two blocks home.

Mike: I was happy to extend the evening, even if it was just a short drive. Her invitation to see the first floor of her townhome was a chance I wouldn’t miss.

Felicity: I proudly donned my realtor hat, giving him a brief tour.

Mike: And as we stood at her front door, I couldn’t resist leaning in for a kiss – the perfect end to a memorable date.

Felicity: Reflecting on that evening, I realized how refreshingly different Mike was from anyone else I’d met in Tampa.

Together: And that’s how our story began – a chance meeting, a Facebook connection, and a sushi date that set the course for an incredible adventure.

💍 The Propsal – A Moment of Spontaneity and Love

Felicity: The proposal, though somewhat planned, still caught me by surprise. Mike and I navigated the pandemic’s ups and downs together, and marriage became a real, tangible plan somewhere along the way. We even went to a local jeweler together to design the ring, opting for an aquamarine instead of traditional diamonds.

Mike: I knew Felicity had to be the one to pick out her ring. Seeing her eyes light up when we found the perfect aquamarine was unforgettable. When the ring was finally ready, I had this whole scenic proposal in mind. But the moment I picked up the ring, I just couldn’t wait any longer.

Felicity: There we were in the loft of our home when Mike, in an impromptu burst of emotion, dropped to his knee. It was so unexpected, so genuine – just us, in our own little world. I was overwhelmed with happiness.

Mike: I asked her right there in our loft. It wasn’t how I’d pictured it, but it felt right. Her “yes” was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard.

Felicity: After the initial shock, we decided we wanted a bit of scenery to commemorate the moment. So, we walked down to Bayshore Blvd., which has this beautiful waterfront view.

Mike: Recreating the proposal by the water was perfect. We took selfies, and passersby started honking and cheering for us. It added this unexpected and joyful public celebration to our private moment.

Felicity: And there was this special serendipity to the date – October 16th, my grandmother’s birthday. She’s no longer with us, but I felt her presence.

Mike: It was more than just a proposal. It was a moment where we felt connected not just to each other, but to our loved ones who had passed. My brother had recently passed away, and we like to believe that he and Felicity’s grandmother met in heaven and knew we’d be perfect for each other.

Together: Our proposal wasn’t just about the engagement. It was a heartfelt affirmation of our love, a connection to our past, and a hopeful look into our future.