We met on January 6, 2022 — in hindsight, probably not the most ideal date in modern American history for a first date. But if nothing else, it made our anniversary impossible to forget.

Early that night, Joseph asked Mike a seemingly innocent question:

“Do you watch Housewives?”

Mike, who had never watched anything on Bravo, confidently answered “Yes.”

What he didn’t realize was that this was not small talk — it was an entrance exam. Joseph’s encyclopedic knowledge of every franchise quickly became very clear. Within minutes, Mike understood he had dramatically underestimated the situation. The bluff didn’t last long… but luckily, the chemistry did.

At the time, we were both new to Chicago, each having lived here only a few months. Joseph was still settling in — furniture was optional at that stage — and we found ourselves building not just a relationship, but a life in a brand-new city together. We explored neighborhoods, discovered favorite restaurants, built lasting friendships, and slowly fell in love with both Chicago and each other.

Everett, of course, needed time to evaluate Mike. He watched him pacing around the apartment, unsure what to make of someone who simply could not sit still. But Mike’s inability to relax turned out to be a huge win for Everett — countless walks to the lake later, they became inseparable.

Since then, we’ve continued doing what we love most: grabbing dinner at a local restaurant to catch up on life, spending time with friends, traveling often, and exploring new places — always planning our next adventure.

After countless not-so-subtle hints from Mike that he was ready to lock it down, Joseph made it official in May 2025.

He absolutely nailed it.

During one of our favorite rituals — walking Everett along the Chicago lakefront, with Everett splashing in the water at Oak Street Beach — Joseph asked the question.

It was simple. It was perfect. It was us.

From a bold Housewives bluff to building a home, a partnership, and a life together — we can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you.