Dancing through love

Featuring Adrian Reyes and Michael Shelton

It all began on a summer night in 2017, at Dallas’ vibrant Purple Party—a celebration of joy, pride, and connection. Introduced by a mutual friend at JR’s bar, across from the infamous Round Up, Michael and Adrian’s connection was instant. “We danced the night away,” Michael recalls, their laughter spilling into a late-night meal at Streets Fine Chicken. It was just the beginning of something unforgettable.

What followed was a modern-day love letter: months of constant texting, bridging the distance between Dallas and Los Angeles. By December, Michael flew west to celebrate his birthday with Adrian.

“From then on, we found every excuse to fly back and forth, never wanting to go too long without seeing each other.” On New Year’s Eve, under the glow of an after-party in Dallas, Michael confessed his feelings, realizing this was far more than a long-distance romance.

By February, he made a life-changing leap—moving to Los Angeles to build a shared life. Together, they navigated the joys and challenges of home renovations, a global pandemic, and every small moment in between.

In April 2023, fate worked its magic in Paris. Beneath the Eiffel Tower, Adrian nervously knelt to propose—unaware Michael was reaching into his coat for a ring of his own. “In that perfect, poetic moment, we knew: this was meant to be.”

Their wedding was a reflection of their story—deeply personal, rooted in culture, and bursting with color. Guests were asked to wear white, creating a striking canvas for a joyful tradition: vibrant hand fans were distributed, and instead of clapping, guests waved and clacked them in celebration, a playful nod to their LGBTQ+ pride and the diversity of their love.

Michael’s love of green shone through; he, his mother, his sister, and Adrian’s sister wore the hue, while Adrian donned tan. Every detail held meaning: from traditional Filipino dances and fire dancers that honored Michael’s heritage, to a soundtrack of Calum Scott and Shania Twain, weaving their shared histories into the night.

Even the floral arrangements reflected Adrian’s passion for blooms. Posters from their Paris engagement adorned the venue, telling their journey in pictures.

With over 120 loved ones traveling across the globe, every moment felt like a dream. “It was the celebration of a lifetime,” Michael shares. And indeed, it was a love story—and a celebration—that could belong only to them.