Our Story

Question

How we Met

Answer

Our worlds first collided during both of our first jobs after undergrad and grad school. Alyssa's amazing manager, Jamie Dumas, set up a one-on-one meeting for Jordan and Alyssa to meet, as Jordan was well known for his experience with volunteering in different activities and he would be a key player in ensuring the volunteer events Alyssa would plan for her job were a success. After seeing him walk into the room, Alyssa remembers feeling nervous and sweaty, as she thought he was pretty cute. After awkward introductions (mostly awkward because Alyssa had a hard time forming sentences), the two hit it off talking about school, working at the company, and dabbling into politics and human rights. Fast forward to two years later, the pair were both working at separate companies and hadn't spoken in over a year. One day, Alyssa made an account on Bumble, the social dating app, and Jordan's account was the first to appear on her feed. After deciding to swipe right and send him a message, the rest was history.

Question

The Proposal

Answer

After a few months of dating, I knew that Alyssa was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I bought the ring about a year after we moved in together and quietly kept it hidden away in our guest room closet for the perfect moment. I woke up on a beautiful, sunny, Summer day and had an idea- Alyssa already had plans to get her nails done with her friend Maddie that morning, and I couldn't have asked for better weather. I quickly texted Maddie a picture of the ring and asked if she was down to play a part in the big surprise. She enthusiastically agreed, and we managed to rope in her friend Alex to the scheme as well. I told Alyssa that I wanted to tag along and drop her off at the nail salon so that I could take Leo for a big walk and hang out by the lake on such a beautiful day. I told her to meet us afterwards and we could all walk somewhere for lunch. Conspicuous enough, she thought it was a lovely plan and off we went. While Alyssa and Maddie got their nails done, I met up with Alex, her boyfriend Nick, and their handsome doggie Mr. Fox (who also happens to be Leo's husband) to hang out along the lake and wait for the big moment. While we were waiting, Alex asked if I was nervous. At that point, I absolutely wasn't - everything was going great, the weather was still perfect, and I was about to ask the love of my life to marry me. About 5 minutes later, Alyssa and Maddie started walking over. At that moment, my palms started sweating, my mind was scrambled, and the butterflies in my stomach were having a field day. We casually chatted for a bit and then Alex asked to take some pictures. Alyssa and I stood along the lakefront with Leo and the Chicago skyline in the background for some nice family pics. I leaned in for a kiss, whispered about my unending love, and got down on one knee. Alyssa was shocked and ecstatic (to say the least) and eventually pulled it together enough to shout an emphatic "YES!"

Question

Couple's Reflections

Answer

Alyssa: I knew when I first met Jordan he was someone special. I always admired him for being truly genuine and completely himself from the start. He is one of the most thoughtful, kind, generous people I know, and, not to mention, he is the absolute best dog dad to our Leo. I am so thrilled to be starting the next chapter of our lives together and I know that no matter where we go or what life throws at us, I will always feel like I am home with him. Jordan: Alyssa is truly one-of-a-kind. She knows exactly how to make each and every person in her life feel important, valued, and loved. She's the most compassionate, gentle, kind, and loving partner who supports me unconditionally. Being around her feels like home, and I truly cannot wait to build our life together.