Tracey & Michael in Baroda, MI
Tracey Sanders and Michael Check have been in each other's lives for eight years. The couple met in 1998, when Michael's firm provided tech support for Tracey's company, but didn't start dating until 2001. Never let it be said that a long-term couple can’t still take each other's breath away, though…. The proof is in Michael's proposal to Tracey. On the sly, Michael called 20 of the couple's closest friends and family together for a secret birthday party for Tracey at their favorite restaurant. When she walked in, everyone was seated, looking at menus, and boy was I surprised! Tracey remembers. Before I could even register everyone who was there, he popped the question. The Bride Tracey Sanders,36, sales rep The Groom Michael Check, 38, IT consultant The Date September 4 To spread the news about their September beach wedding in the southwestern wine country, Tracey and Michael sent not just one but two save-the-date cards. The first was a small note resembling a beach towel inside a tiny flip-flop box, Tracey says. The next mailing was a letterpress-printed oversize postcard, with a checklist of what to bring to the beach! Collaborating with a graphic designer friend, the couple also designed invitations with specific details about the weekend.