Words are hardly enough to describe how amazing and sweet the love story of Gillian and Michael is! There is no doubt that they are classic romantics. Throughout their long-distance dating, they would write each other love letters. They even wrote us letters,  HANDWRITTEN letters describing their journey – how incredible is that?!?! You will absolutely melt as you read through these. Prepare yourself to fall in love with this couple as much as we have!

Gillian’s Letter:
Dear James and Jess,

For me, finding love wasn’t an active search. I had faith that the person who was meant for me would find me. And I believed that with all my heart. I also knew I needed to find out who I was and what I wanted out of life and a partner before I could ever commit to another person. It’s a funny thing because as soon as I felt I was in a strong point in my life, Michael entered. The universe knew I was ready.

My first step in figuring out who I was as a adult was with my move to Arizona, after college. Michael was living in AZ during that time. We lived 15 minutes apart in AZ and I worked for a company that Michael frequented, but our paths never crossed. During the beginning of our relationship, Michael always wished we had met while we lived in the same state and, therefore, never had to be long distance. I always replied that during that time I wasn’t ready for him. I had more growing and changing to do before he could enter my life. I believe Michael and I met when we lived 500 miles apart for a reason. Timing is everything.

While I lived in AZ, I decided to give eHarmony a try. It wasn’t until after I had moved back to California, however, that Michael reached out to me. We quickly realized there was something special between us. We spoke everyday for a month. It was a very special period because it was then that I fell in love with him.

We had our first date during my next visit to Arizona. I’m not the greatest conversationalist so I was nervous prior to our date. To give myself extra confidence, I found a list of questions that are good for getting to know someone. Halfway through our date, we broke them out and started answering them together. It was a very fun way to get to know each other without pressure. Mike and I had a very strong emotional and mental bond before our first date so we connected quickly when we were finally in the same room. Our first date was a significant moment in our time together. It was an important step to a very special love.

For the next year and a half, Michael and I would travel back and forth from CA and AZ to see each other. Sometimes every week! We found special ways to keep each other close even when we were so far from each other. One of the most significant ways was through written love letters. Every letter is now in a book that continues to grow larger and larger. After five months of dating, we also wore promise rings that bore the other’s home coordinates. Mike still wears his while mine has been replaced by an engagement ring. Being long distance was challenging but it made us very strong as a couple. Because of that period, we understand how lucky we are to live together now. To see each other and wake up next to each other every day is a gift we don’t waste. We don’t take each other for granted and stay present in our relationship. The long distance period was trying but it made the strong foundation our relationship is built on. For that reason, we are thankful.

While we were long distance, after 11 months of dating, Michael proposed to me. It was the most romantic gesture I had ever witnessed. But that’s a story I’ll let him tell you.  

I love Michael because he is genuine, honest, selfless, gregarious and incredibly personable. He sees the good in people before the bad and he makes friends everywhere he goes. He is eager to learn and willing to take on any new adventure. We have had some very special experiences because of his willingness to just go for it. I admire him for these qualities and so many more.

As my best friend, Sierra, said to me last week, “I have honestly never seen a man adore someone like Mike adores you, Gillian.” I have to say, I am truly blessed. Michael is always honest with me — whether it be positive support or the hard truth. He is always there with the best intentions in his heart. Michael wants nothing more than for me to be happy and succeed in everything I do. He wants those things for me more than he wants them for himself. That selflessness is something so rare in life that it blows me away. There are no words that can express how thankful I am for his presence in my life. I know he is the man I am meant to love and I am endlessly grateful.

With love,
Gillian

 

Michael’s letter:
Dear James and Jess,

I am the luckiest man on this planet to have met the woman of my dreams. Gillian means so very much to me. I thank God every day that we were matched on E-Harmony!

Even before our first date, I knew that Gillian was the woman for me. As I got to know her during our phone and email conversations, I learned how incredibly special she is. On our first date, I stared into her eyes and realized that my dreams had come true.

On my first trip out to Santa Barbara, I got to know her great friend Sierra. While Gillian was at work, I chatted with Sierra for hours. It was during this time that I professed that “I’m going to marry this woman” for the first time publicly. Gillian surrounds herself with such amazing people, which only adds to her character.

I proposed to Gillian on February 17, 2017 while she was visiting me in Arizona. A few weeks prior to the proposal, we found a ring setting that she loved. The diamond Gillian wears is the same my grandfather used when he proposed to my grandmother in 1943. It has a great deal of sentimental value. I had it in my possession for many years to give to the woman that melted my heart. On that date last year, I was notified that the ring was ready at the jewelers. I made an excuse to run an errand while she was studying. While I was out, Gillian called to let me know that her flight into Santa Barbara was canceled due to flooding. So I would have an extra two days with her! On my way back home, I said to myself that I couldn’t wait until my next trip to Santa Barbara to propose to her. When I walked into the house, I asked her to take a break from her studying and I popped the question! She said YES!!

I love Gillian’s sense of adventure. Gillian and I have taken so many day trips together in both Arizona and California. Along our travels, she has introduced me to her passion for history, and that, in turn, has opened my eyes to the wonders of the past. On one of our trips to Downtown LA, we took a historical tour of Union Station. It was truly fascinating to me. I watched Gillian’s eyes glow as we were on this tour, and I fell even more deeply in love with her.

I love her sense of humor, her interest in movies and music, her welcoming nature, her love for her family and friends, and her love for the world around her. I could not be happier to be marrying this beautiful, warm-hearted woman!

Sincerely,
Michael

SaveSave