In the spring of 2024, we joined the same band, The Mighty Swells. Before we’d even met, Jim had already heard glowing things about Miko from mutual friends and fellow bandmates: “She’s super talented,” “Everybody loves her,” “I can't wait to hear you sing together,” And soon, he was curious and excited to meet this mystery woman.

We initially crossed paths the night before our first rehearsal, when Miko came out to dance at a gig Jim was playing. During a break, Jim jumped offstage, gave her a big hug, and said, “Looking forward to singing with you tomorrow!” Something clicked immediately—an ease, a quiet kind of magnetism.

The next day at rehearsal, our harmonies blended easily, naturally. We both noticed it. By the end of practice, we were already making plans to get together for vocal rehearsals.

A few rehearsals, a few hugs, a few texts, and a not-so-subtle “second hug” later, we both started wondering if something more might be unfolding.

On June 8, we had our first vocal rehearsal at Miko’s house. Jim felt at ease; comfortable & cozy in Miko’s space right away. We spent a wonderful few hours talking and getting to know some things about each other and then got down to making music, but by then there was only time to go through a little bit of material. And when we did, it felt great and natural. And despite less music time, what we discovered was far more important. On the drive to his gig that night, Jim said to himself, “There’s definitely something here.”

Later that night, at a friend’s after-party, it became unmistakably clear. Jim walked in, saw Miko across the room, and mouthed, “I want to sit there,” pointing beside her. She patted the seat next to her, and motioned yes. Surrounded by laughter and people, the rest of the world faded away. Shoulder to shoulder, not wanting to leave each others side, we knew we were together. We talked late into the night, held hands, laughed, and as the sun rose, shared our first kiss.

Less than a week later, we had our first official date—seeing Erin Zindel & the Ragbirds at the Ann Arbor Summer Fest. A month after that, Jim asked Miko to be his partner. “I don’t want to be introduced as just a friend,” he said. “That’s not what this is.”

That summer was full of magic—our first shows together, concerts, dancing, jam sessions, even co-organizing a memorial event. We built a home music studio, worked three music festival food truck gigs together, and quickly discovered we made a great team—onstage, in the kitchen, and in life. And when Miko had to go up north for a two-week gig away, we both realized just how deeply in love we’d fallen.

During that time apart, something else bloomed—Jim and Miko’s son Sasha formed a beautiful bond, sparked by music, bike rides, ball games, and zany humor. And when Miko returned, we hit the ground running with our new trio project (with guitarist and longtime friend John Defever) and even more adventures.

We slowly started blending our lives, meeting each other’s children (Jim has three, Miko has four), each other's mother, each other's friends, and dreaming up what a future together might look like.

Then, over Valentine’s Day weekend of this year, Jim planned a surprise night out: the Jackson Symphony Orchestra performing Baroque love songs—Miko’s absolute favorite style of classical music for its intricate melodies and rich harmonies. It was amazing to unexpectedly discover we both have a passion for baroque music. Sitting together we were mesmerized by the ancient feel of it. It was like stepping into a candlelit cathedral of sound—ornate, luminous, and full of emotion….music that breathes drama and devotion. As the melodies swelled, so did our hearts. That night, Jim proposed with a stunning vintage art deco diamond filigree ring. And Miko said yes. Immediately. Joyfully. Without a doubt.