Katelyn Englert & Michael Staley: A Louisiana Wedding

Nov. 18, 2017

How You Met: In the Summer of 2015, my next door neighbor moved and the home was rented to a man named Michael. I soon learned Michael had recently moved back to Alabama after serving as Congressman Spencer Bachus’s Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C. We exchanged phone numbers and continued on in our daily lives. A few weeks later I received a text message from Michael, an avid cyclist, that he fractured his femur and hip while cycling on the Mount Vernon Trail in the D.C. area. I offered to watch over his place and collect the mail until he was able to return home. After surgery and 11 days in the hospital Michael was able to return home, but was not allowed to bear weight on his leg for the next 3 months. It soon became part of my normal routine to check on Michael and see if he needed anything such as groceries, items from the store, or to even take the trash can to and from the curb. We became friends and soon found ourselves spending time with each other every day.

The Proposal: In December of 2016, we attended the wedding of Katelyn’s college roommate in Mobile, AL. On the way home we stopped at Cahaba Cycles in Pelham to buy some new cletes. To both of our surprise, we not only purchased some new cletes but also purchased a new road bike for Katelyn. After spending more time than we planned at the bike shop, we rushed home to attend spin class at the YMCA and then go to Katelyn’s work Christmas party. After getting home late that night, Michael suggested we take a picture in front of the Christmas tree and he began to set up the tripod for their camera. To Katelyn’s surprise instead of saying cheese, Michael knelt down and proposed!

What You Are Doing Now: In the past year, we have purchased a new home in Hoover, Michael has completed Leadership Hoover and established a business registered with the Chamber and we look forward to a long and happy life in the community.