Daniel and Michael Found Love After a Spinal Cord Injury

True love often arrives when we least expect it—sometimes with a single swipe, sometimes through life’s most challenging moments. For Daniel and Michael, it was both. What began as a chance match on a dating app in 2020 quickly revealed itself to be something deeper, stronger, and destined. Their connection grew through shared laughs, meaningful conversations, and a resilience that would later become the foundation of their relationship.

When a spinal cord injury changed the trajectory of their lives, their love didn’t falter—it transformed. Instead of breaking them apart, it pulled them closer, anchoring them in a profound sense of devotion and purpose. And in the fall of 2023, surrounded by Boston’s golden leaves, Michael dropped to one knee in an unforgettable proposal that honored everything they had overcome together.

As they look ahead to their June 2026 wedding and the future they’re building with their daughters, Daniel and Michael’s story is a powerful reminder that love is not defined by circumstance—it’s defined by courage, commitment, and choosing each other every single day.

Below, they share their story in their own words, paired with photographs from Pinklight Photography that beautifully capture the heart of their journey.

How did you meet?

We met in 2020 through a dating app, though it felt more like fate than chance. Mike was driving north for a friend’s birthday in Napa when he decided to download the app, and I was at home overlooking the water, drinking wine with a friend who convinced me to do the same. I was the very first person to pop up on his screen. We matched instantly, and what started as a swipe turned into a love story that would change both of our lives forever.

Who proposed and how?

Mike proposed to me on a cold fall day in Boston, surrounded by golden leaves. His sister pretended we were just taking a cute photo together, and I had no idea what was about to happen. Then, despite how difficult it was for him physically after his spinal cord injury, Mike got down on one knee. In that moment, time stopped—it wasn’t just a proposal, it was a promise of everything we had already overcome and everything we would build together.

What do you love most about each other?

What we love most about each other is our shared ability to transform hardship into something extraordinary. When tragedy struck, instead of breaking us, it rooted us more deeply in love. Together we’ve turned pain into purpose, healing into growth, and a simple dream into a life we get to build side by side. Our love isn’t just about surviving—it’s about creating something beautiful from the hardest parts of our journey.