It all started with a dog and a meme. Mitch lured Riley in with the irresistible promise of meeting his dog, Rawley. Riley reached out, playfully stating she "must pay the cheese tax to Rawley" and couldn’t be late on this payment again—a cheeky nod to the meme where dogs demand a slice of cheese every time the fridge opens.

On May 29, 2023, Riley and Mitch met for the first time at Gibbons Park. What was meant to be a simple meeting turned into hours of walking, talking, grabbing ice cream, and of course, Riley paying her cheese tax to Rawley. Two days later, Mitch surprised Riley with a kayaking date at Fanshawe Lake, where their adventures truly began.

Surprisingly, Mitch didn’t make his deep involvement in baseball immediately obvious. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that he asked Riley to take a road trip to Cincinnati, where he would be coaching. That serendipitous trip led to an unforgettable weekend. After catching a Cincinnati Reds game, Taylor Swift happened to be performing at the stadium next door. The pair spent the evening by the water, surrounded by Swifties, singing along to the concert echoing through the night air.

That same trip solidified just how perfect they were for each other—adventurous, spontaneous, and willing to try anything. One highlight was successfully (and hilariously) tandem-riding a scooter through the city. Riley steered while Mitch held on for dear life, both crying with laughter as they zoomed past people, turning heads with the ridiculous sight.

Things escalated quickly from there. Riley’s family met Mitch at a Detroit Tigers game, and within hours there was a hushed consensus: "You have to marry him. And if you don’t... I will!" Mitch’s family was equally smitten with Riley, and it was clear to everyone that something special had sparked.

Their adventurous spirit has since taken them across the map—Vancouver, Cuba, California, Niagara, Colorado, and beyond. But the most unforgettable moment came on October 16, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado. Mitch planned a 6 a.m. trip to Sunrise Amphitheater, where they watched the sun rise together. As the world glowed gold and quiet, Mitch asked Riley to marry him.

And now, here we are—ready for a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventure together.

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