It’s A Bad Day To Be A Hot Dog
Anja & Michael
Seneca Lake Resorts | Romulus New York Wedding Film
We met one another when they were 5 and 6 at Sunday School at Saint Martin of Tours Church in Jackson, PA. Those two little kids had no idea that 20 years later, they’d share their first kiss in the parking lot of that same church.
Though we went to two different high schools we were always in the same circles and remained in touch. It wasn’t until 2019, when things changed.
In 2019/2020, I was a News Reporter and Michael was an Assistant Chief at Thompson Hose Company. Michael helped me with 3 separate news stories. Once with Tornado coverage in the Thompson area, another time with fire prevention in the winter, and again for 4th of July fireworks. Neither of us had a romantic thought in their head at the time- just friends helping friends and the invisible string pulling us closer together.
In the summer of 2021 we would talk casually frequently. There’s still a debate between the us of who started flirting with who first, but, one day, I was out at lunch and could not stop thinking about Michael. On my way home from lunch, I texted Michael asking if he wanted to meet somewhere. Michael suggested the church where we had first met. They spent HOURS talking and laughing in Michael’s truck. Michael mentioned it being a “date” and I said “well if this is a date, you have to walk me to my car before I leave”. And it was then, standing next to her car, outside of the place they first met, where we kissed for the first time. (We still debate who kissed who first too).
Since then, we have been inseparable. Michael brings the peace, calm, and kindness to my adventure, spontaneity, and warmth. We fell in love by doing things for one another that supported each others passions. Michael would have “Taylor Swift Nights” for me where we’d get Chinese food and wine and listen to the full album the day they came out. (This started with Red, Taylor’s Version after only a month of dating). And I would go to all things NASCAR with Michael once a year which has allowed us to travel to Boston, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and South Carolina. Michael and I have endured so much since their journey began including Michael supporting me through graduate school both mentally, and financially at times, job transitions/loss, and buying our first home together. We bring out the most genuine versions of each other that we have ever seen or felt. And on top of that, we help one another bloom and grow into the people we desire to be most.
On March 29th 2025, Michael and I were planning to go to the Finger Lakes with our friends to Celebrate Michael’s and his best friend Dylan’s, birthdays. Or so I thought. (so much so that I planned the whole thing). Michael wanted to stop at a waterfall to “recreate a photo” we took 2 years prior. Little did I know the photo that Michael wanted to recreate was his way of setting up his proposal in front of Montour Falls. As we stood posing for their photo, Michael looked at me and said “I love you!”. “I love you too?” I said trying to pose for the photo. “How much?” Michael asked. I was now looking at him very confused said “A lot, why?”. “Enough to marry me?” Michael asked. Then he got on one knee and pulled out my dream ring. I said “yes”, of course, with a flood of tears pouring from my eyes.
Now, we got married in a place not far from where Michael proposed. A place that has become very special for us over the years. Continuing the love we have grown since 2021. But knowing it all slowly began when we were just two kids, in a church basement, as that invisible string began pulling them closer together.
