What began as a simple sixth-grade crush—Mikal secretly swooning over her cousin Johnny’s friend Tanner, who had been around the Sanchez family circle since 2009—would one day become a love neither of them ever expected.

Fast forward to November 2023. Their paths crossed again at a birthday dinner during a Coug game at the Dugout Bar, where Tanner intentionally sat next to Mikal, and not an ounce of attention was paid to the football game. The night carried on to a friend’s house, where a game of billiards set the stage for something unforgettable. Tanner’s big, cheesy grin caught Mikal’s attention, and in that moment—between laughter and the possibility of him losing the game—she made the first move and kissed him.

True to her caring nature, Mikal later drove Tanner and his friends home. When she dropped him off that night, Tanner returned her kiss—this time with a tenderness and honesty that left her heart racing, along with a few unexpectedly romantic confessions she would never forget. What she expected to be a one-time interaction turned into a leap of faith by embracing the chance to get to know Tanner over a few dinner dates.

From then on, Mikal and Tanner have been building a life full of adventure, animals, love, and laughter. Whether it’s wrangling their ever-changing chicken flock, traveling with family and lifelong friends, or exploring the outdoors, these two have embraced every day side by side, making memories out of every moment.