WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

Join us on an adventure to OUR forever!

How  We Met

By Teija

I was living in a student housing complex in Provo when one night, a few guys knocked on our door. They had noticed their “cute neighbors” and asked if we wanted to hang out and play cards. My roommates and I said yes—it sounded fun and harmless enough.

Later that evening, I noticed another guy walk by and glance into our window. He saw his friends hanging out inside and decided to join. That was the first time I saw Mikey.

What started as a few low-key game nights quickly turned into something more. There was this natural connection between us—so much laughter, good conversation, and an ease I hadn’t expected. Our first real date was a Utah Jazz game, and within just a few weeks, we were practically inseparable.

But then, life shifted. The semester ended, and I headed back to Maui for the holidays, preparing to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In January 2023, I left for Brasília, Brazil. Even though we were in completely different places, Mikey remained in my life. He sent me kind, supportive emails throughout my mission. He never pressured, never expected anything—just encouragement, friendship, and patience.

Then, in June 2024, I came home.

We FaceTimed for the first time in 18 months, and I remember smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. It felt like no time had passed. We just picked up right where we left off. It was as if I’d never left.

It felt like home.

The Proposal

By Mikey

Our Story – Summer 2025
This summer, Teija and I lived life apart—me working in Alpine, Utah as a salesman, and her gaining experience in Maui as a spa attendant. Being apart wasn’t easy, but it only made our love grow stronger.

The Surprise
Teija isn’t a fan of surprises—she loves plans and knowing what’s ahead. So naturally, I had to surprise her. I called her sister Kailea on a Sunday night, told her I was flying out the next day, and asked for help. Together, we planned a fake photoshoot with her after work on Monday to get her to the proposal spot.

That night, I FaceTimed Teija like usual, pretending to have phone issues so I could secretly turn off my location and board the plane.

The Proposal
I arrived Monday morning and spent the day picking up the ring, prepping flowers, rehearsing my plan, and meeting with her dad to ask for his blessing. At 4:30, I headed out with her Aunty Malia (the photographer) to a quiet spot where the mountains meet the sea. The sun was setting, the ocean was glowing, and Josh Tatofi’s “I’ll Love You Forever” played softly in the background.

An hour later, Teija arrived. She stepped out of the car and walked toward me. We fell into each other's arms.  My heart was pounding. I took a deep breath… and got down on one knee.

What's next for Teija and Mikey

By Teija

Oh, the adventures ahead! Our next chapter is sure to be an exciting one. We'll be spending a few months on Maui—I'll continue working at the spa while Mikey enjoys the sunshine and surf he's missed all summer. Come January, we’ll head to the North Shore of Oʻahu to soak up a bit more island life before diving back into school. By the end of April, once Mikey wraps up his online semester, we’ll return to Utah where he’ll resume classes and I’ll begin Cosmetology School. Life will be full and busy, but sharing it together makes every step worth it.

A special thanks to the incredibly talented Aunty Malia Akinaka for beautifully capturing these moments.

OUR WEDDING REGISTRY