We both got invited to a friends birthday brunch. Ashton arrived first, and didn't know many people at the brunch. Clay arrived soon after and immediately introduced himself. All day was spent getting to know each other and hanging out at the brunch. A few more months of some random (and not so random) run ins, and we finally agreed to a first date! Clay won Ashton over with his dance moves, Ashton won Clay over with her punctuality to their first date :)

Clay told Ashton he was going to be out of town for the weekend. Ashton's mom and sister came to Chicago to have a "girls weekend" for Mother's Day. The story was that we had dinner plans with a friend of Ashton's sister, but before dinner Ashton's mom just had to ride the ferris wheel because she had never ridden it. Little did Ashton know, Clay was waiting to propose at Olive Park by Navy Pier (our first date)! It has a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline, and Clay had hired a photographer to capture everything! After the proposal, Clay (along with some help from our friends and family) had planned an amazing surprise engagement party where many friends and members of our family had come from near and far to celebrate with us! It was the most perfect night!