They were best friends for 10 years before their relationship blossomed into something more.
Andrea and Mica George-Michaud met at freshmen orientation in 2008 at a small, private Downriver high school.
They quickly became best friends, sharing all the joys and trials of growing up.
They stayed in the area through the first years of college and remained friends.
“Then life tested us. Mica left for Kansas to finish college and play softball,” Andrea wrote in a winning love story essay for a contest sponsored by the city of Southgate. “For the first time, a part of me felt missing.”
When Mica returned, the friendship continued, and began to blossom into “two best friends slowly, inevitably falling in love.”
“Our love story is about time, patience and choosing each other again and again.”
They later married and found a home in Southgate and are proud to call the city home, Andrea wrote in her essay.
“Everybody is really friendly and welcoming,” she said.
At its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 4, the City Council presented the couple with a gift basket filled with champagne and glasses, cookies, chocolates, a $100 gift card to Carrabba’s restaurant and a signed certificate from Mayor Joseph Kuspa.
Andrea expressed surprise that her essay won the contest, which was sponsored by the city’s Cultural Arts and Special Events Commission.
“I did this, kind of, in passing and then weeks went by,” she said. “Then I received a text from the city that said I won.”
Eight essays were submitted for the contest, which was held for the first time this year.
