Mike and Emilie met in the summer of 1999, when they worked together at the local city pool (Harvey West Pool). Mike was a Cashier and Emilie was a Swim Instructor and Lifeguard. While working together, they discovered that they had many things in common: mutual friends; similar tastes in food (like Tofutti Cream Cheese, Laura Scudder's peanut butter, and sushi); they both grew up on the west side; they attended the same elementary, junior high, and high schools; and they both enjoyed listening to the same kinds of music. Emilie and Mike looked forward to sharing laughs and great conversations on all the shifts they worked together. Late in the summer, Mike handed Emilie a vending machine ring and asked her when the wedding was going to be held. Little did he know that the wedding wouldn't take place for eight more years! After this event, Mike and Emilie realized that they both really liked each other and began hanging out after work -- first with their mutual friends -- and then they started dating on September 20, 1999.