The Kwan's worked hard and lovingly raised Michelle along with her older siblings Karen and Ron, to "work hard, have fun and be yourself." Brother Ronny loved hockey and his sisters would often go to watch him play. One day when Michelle was five years old, she and Karen decided they too wanted to skate. Danny and Estella, being the loving parents that they are, allowed Karen and Michelle to rent skates and give it a try. They fell in love with figure skating, and from that time on the Kwans would sacrifice their time and money to allow their daughters to train in a sport that they were obviously good at and cherished.