Blair Dunbar grew up in Geneva, Illinois - a small, homogenous suburb of Chicago. An ardent romantic since she was first introduced to the world of Julia Roberts, she also had a penchant for adventure and yearned to leave the Midwest. This would ultimately lead her to Russia - first for a study abroad semester while at Northwestern University and then for six and a half more years following graduation. Nikolai (Nick) Ostrikov grew up on (literally) the other side of the world, in the town of Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. His intelligence took him away from his mountainous hometown - first on an exchange program to a trailer park in Arkansas, then Tver, Russia for university, and then Venice, Italy for his Master's. This odd couple connected via Bumble in Moscow, not long after the COVID lockdowns had ended. Their first date was at a small coffee shop near Patriarch's Ponds on September 5, 2020. Despite their vast differences, they somehow fit together - and Nick moved in with Blair just one month after their first date. For a year, Blair and Nick lived together in Moscow. Unfortunately, Blair eventually had to return to the United States without Nick - just three weeks before the Russia-Ukraine war began. In March of 2022, Nick left Russia for Armenia; in May of that year, Nick and Blair filed for Nick's visa. For the next 17 months, Nick and Blair were thrust into the painfully backlogged U.S. immigration system. They endured bureaucratic delays and long months apart. However, they also managed to travel the world - taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkey, ziplining in Tbilisi, Georgia, hiking the ancient lost city of Petra in Jordan, and driving across Montenegro and Bosnia. Despite these immense challenges, they made it through, and, on December 16, 2023, Nick finally arrived in Chicago. On January 5, 2024, Blair and Nick were legally married at the Chicago Courthouse. This "Wedding 2.0" is an immense celebration for both Nick and Blair - a joyous culmination of their two-year long struggle to be together amidst a global war. It's a day to honor a love that never wavered despite the challenges - and to celebrate with those they hold dear who supported them throughout this journey. Blair and Nick look forward to celebrating with you!