Becoming the Baumans

It was New Year’s Eve, 2024…cold, sparkling, and full of anticipation. Matthew and I were strolling along the Naperville Riverwalk, the crisp winter air carrying the excitement of the countdown to come. Little did I know, this walk would become the start of our forever. We reached the bridge, twinkling with lights reflecting off the river below. That’s when Matthew, ever the romantic (and slightly stubborn), decided it was the perfect moment… on a broken ankle. Yes, you read that right. Despite hobbling along like a determined action hero, he knelt down, looked me straight in the eyes, and asked me to marry him. I laughed, I cried, I laughed again…and of course, I said yes! There was something about the mix of bravery, love, and a tiny bit of chaos that made the moment perfectly “us.” That bridge, that chilly night, and that broken ankle will forever be part of our story.