Amanda Cincinnati, 48, and Michael Cincinnati, 49, celebrated their wedding in St. Augustine, Florida, on 5/6. Their union marks the culmination of a three-decade journey, a testament to enduring love that began in high school and was rekindled after years of separation and misunderstanding.
A poignant symbol of Michael's unwavering hope was a movie ticket stub he kept in his wallet for 30 years. This single memento from a film he and Amanda watched together in high school remained with him, laminated after his training, through all the years they were apart.
The couple first met in high school in rural West Virginia, connecting through a mutual friend despite attending two different schools. They were inseparable throughout their senior years but broke up a few months after graduating in 1995 following a "childish" argument.
The following summer, Michael, preparing to join the U.S. Navy, asked to see Amanda the night before his departure. He proposed with one pear-shaped diamond ring, but Amanda declined. "I told him I still loved him, but we were both too young, and he was about to go far away," Amanda recalled. Michael left the ring, and though Amanda received many letters from his unit, she did not reply. Later, Michael's sister retrieved the ring.
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Amanda and Michael in a photo booth in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in summer 1994. People |
Amanda and Michael in a photo booth in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in summer 1994. People
A few years later, while Michael was on leave, they met for dinner. Michael left a voicemail for Amanda, but her then-boyfriend deleted the message and sent a reply: "Leave me alone". "He was heartbroken, and I thought he was leaving me again," Amanda said. This incident caused them to lose all contact.
In December 2024, Michael found Amanda's Facebook account and sent a friend request. Both were divorced at this time; Amanda had three children, and Michael had four children. They decided to meet the day before Valentine's Day in 2025, and the reunion went well. Michael stated, "She is my greatest love and my best friend."
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Amanda and Michael Cincinnati on their engagement day, 3/6/2026. People |
Amanda and Michael Cincinnati on their engagement day, 3/6/2026. People
Initially, the couple planned a private wedding due to Amanda's parents' health issues. However, on the day of the ceremony, her parents unexpectedly appeared. The bride's father officiated, with her mother standing by. "Being together feels like winning the lottery," Michael said.
The couple is now planning their honeymoon in Sicily, Italy, a place where Michael was once stationed. "We have 30 years to make up for," he added, looking forward to their future together.
Nhat Minh (According to People)
