Occupation 

Manufacturing Engineering

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Hobby

Soccer, 3D Printing, Movies & TV

Favorite Food

Picadillo

Favorite TV Show

The Last of Us

Favorite Movie

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring

Favorite Family Activity

Spending time with my siblings

Occupation 

Education

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Hobby

Reading, teaching myself new crafts & building Lego sets

Favorite Food

Breakfast foods

Favorite TV Show

The Gilded Age 

Favorite Movie

Hot Rod

Favorite Family Activity

Game nights 

Our Story

Miguel and I met during our first year at Western Michigan University. We were part of the same dorm friend group and often had lunch together when our schedules aligned—without realizing something more was beginning. We stayed close friends for nearly two years before recognizing our feelings for each other.

During that time, Miguel met my family and I met his. He even joined me and a friend on an 8-hour road trip to attend my younger brother’s high school graduation! On Halloween in 2011, he asked me to be his girlfriend through a pre-recorded song he wrote and uploaded to YouTube. I said yes—and we’ve been together ever since.



We got married in June 2015 in a small backyard ceremony at my parents’ home in Michigan, surrounded by 50 of our closest family and friends. My younger brother officiated in the same field where I grew up, and Miguel made it even more special by saying his vows in Spanish. Family traveled from Costa Rica to celebrate with us. Afterward, we shared dinner at a local restaurant, then returned for dancing, a bonfire with s’mores and hot dogs, and homemade ceviche prepared by Miguel’s mom and aunt. It was the perfect, laid-back celebration—one our families still talk about nearly 10 years later.

Our Home

We live in a quiet, tree-filled neighborhood where kids play in the streets and neighbors enjoy chatting outside. It's a safe, low-traffic area with only two roads connecting to the main street and three cul-de-sacs—perfect for teaching our younger siblings to ride bikes last summer.

Our home has four bedrooms (all upstairs), 2.5 bathrooms, and two cozy living rooms with fireplaces on the main floor, along with the kitchen, dining room, and laundry/half bath. We have a spacious, fenced-in backyard, plus a large front and side yard, thanks to our corner lot—plenty of room to play! A favorite feature is our enclosed patio, which we’ve used as a summer reading nook and, most recently, a veggie garden protected from curious deer and bunnies.

Our Community

We live in a great community that’s just the right size—not too big, not too small. One of the things we love most is how many kid-friendly activities are nearby—almost everything is within a 10-minute drive! Our city has a fantastic Aquatic Center with a splash pad, as well as activities for older kids and adults. The local library is a favorite, especially in the summer when Miguel’s siblings visit—it offers year-round programs for kids of all ages.

Living along the Lake Michigan coast means we’re surrounded by parks and beaches, and you’ll often find us at the park on the zip line or playing hide-and-seek in the wooden play structures. Just 30 minutes away in either direction are even more gems: a small amusement park, a children’s museum, and a storybook-themed botanical garden designed especially for kids.

I was born and raised in Costa Rica and moved to the United States when I was 12 years old. Spanish is my first language and the primary language spoken by many of my family. Most of my extended family lives in San José, and we try to visit as often as we can.

My parents have been married for 36 years, and for most of my life, I was an only child. That changed during my sophomore year of college, when my little sister was born, followed by my younger brother about a year and a half later. Our family dynamic is a little unusual, but watching my siblings grow up from this unique perspective has been such a gift. They all live in Middle Tennessee, and we talk almost every day and visit as often as possible.

Courtney's Family

I grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as the third of four children in a close-knit family. We’re loud, loving, and always find something to laugh about. My parents have been together for 35 years and have never once wavered. They are everything to me, and I love spending time with them.

As kids, we spent our days outside—fishing on Lake Michigan, exploring the acres of our land, and picking apples and peaches from our orchard. These days, we still love being outdoors, usually gathered on the patio or around the dining room table, playing board games with our 15 year old nephew, Finn. Our favorite is LCR (Left, Center, Right), played with quarters—it's a must at every holiday.

Most of my family still lives in my hometown of Michigan, but my younger brother and his wife live in Fort Worth, Texas. My niece and nephew are now one-year-old and it has been so fun to watch them grow. I’m so hopeful that they might have a cousin close to their age.

Miguel & Courtney - A Look Into Our Life

Sumo & Delta

We have two dogs, Sumo and Delta! We adopted Sumo from a shelter when he was just 10 weeks old, and he has been the best boy ever since. He is extremely loyal and calm, and he’s definitely Courtney’s boy. Even at 12 years old, he still loves to play catch and jump way too high into the air.

We took in Delta from an unfortunate situation when she was about a year old. She had never been outside and actually thought she was a cat! She still has cat-like tendencies—like perching on a chair and staring out the window for hours. She’s full of energy, loves to snuggle and be cozy, and at 11 years old, you’d never guess her age!

Family Traditions

Traditions are an important part of our family, blending celebrations from both sides. In Costa Rica, Christmas is filled with special foods like casado and homemade rompope (Costa Rican eggnog). Gifts are exchanged at midnight with extended family in a joyful celebration. On Courtney’s side, a quirky but beloved tradition is McDonald’s chicken nuggets. Her grandpa brought them every Christmas until he passed in 2006, and the tradition lives on as a fun reminder of him.

We’ve also recently restarted a special fall tradition with our niece and nephew—placing them inside a carved-out pumpkin for photos. It’s something Courtney’s parents did with her and her siblings when they were babies, and it’s been really meaningful (and fun!) to bring it back with the next generation.

When our families come together, we mix both traditions—sharing tamales and nuggets, opening some gifts at midnight and the rest in the morning. We’ve also created a few traditions of our own, like joining Courtney’s family in Michigan each spring to tap trees and make maple syrup, and spending New Year’s Eve with Miguel’s younger siblings, filled with food, games, and laughter.

We’re excited to pass these traditions on while creating new ones of our own. Celebrating heritage and culture is deeply important to us, and we are committed to honoring and embracing your child’s background as well.

Better Together

As mentioned earlier, Courtney and I have such a unique and amazing opportunity to watch my siblings grow up. Since we have an age gap (20 years!) we play a very big role in their lives. We FaceTime nearly every day and are constantly texting with them. We are more of an additional set of parents than siblings. We have a tradition of Amaia and Antares coming to Wisconsin every summer break for a few months and we try to squeeze in as much as we can in what time we have together. We also see them every year the day after Christmas and we spend New Year’s Eve together!

Adventure Awaits

We’ve always shared a love for adventure—whether it’s exploring new places, trying different activities, or just finding fun in everyday moments. From trips to New York City and cheering at baseball games, to exploring museums, parks, concerts, and musicals—even traveling abroad—we’re always up for making memories and having fun together. We hope this gives you a glimpse into our adventurous spirit and all the joy, love, and experiences we’re excited to share with a child.