We're getting married!

In March of 2019, we connected on a dating app while Tim was in Florida and Lauren was in Texas for a bachelorette party. In our very first conversation, we found out that we both attended the same grade school, St. Patrick's, in Wadsworth. Tim was a year older than Lauren and Lauren was a bit on the quiet side. So, it made sense why we did not know each other at that time. As we continued to date, we found even more connections. Not only did we drive the same car, but we also found that Tim's family home was previously owned by a family member of Lauren's. There are photos of Lauren dancing away on the back patio of what is now Tim's family home! Our paths came so close to crossing so many times, but it was clearly not our time to meet until 2019. Now, we are ready to spend the rest of our lives together and build more memories!

The planning started a few months before. Labor Day week was busy. I was on vacation at my parent’s lake house. During the start, I picked out the ring. By the end of the week, I had a golf outing with Rich. Our parents live 15 minutes away from each other and we were staying at Lauren’s parents the following weekend. Before Lauren got to her parent’s that Friday, I was able to ask them for their permission. That night, Cheryl and I were able to get a ring measurement while Lauren was sleeping. Sorry, Lauren. I was hoping to ask Lauren outside. One idea was to ask her in the city. There was a spike in cases in Chicago, so I had to figure out somewhere different. The new plan was at the Lake Forest Beach. Lauren and I have gone in the past so it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. The plan was to walk from the north part to the south part and ask her at the end. Illinois had a warm day on Nov 3rd. It was sunny and close to 70 degrees. I couldn’t pass up going for a walk with Lauren. Plus, she had the day off. So, the 3rd came along. I convinced Lauren to go for a walk. She freaked me out because she almost didn’t have her nails done the night before. I was told that’s a big deal. I tried to make it seem normal wearing nice clothes by telling her we would get lunch somewhere after. My parents, her parents, and her friend, Sam, were hiding at the south end of the beach behind a building. They had their cameras ready for photos and videos. They were also able to FaceTime friends and family. As we made our way down to the end of the path, I noticed a couple standing near where I wanted to ask her. I tried to be cool and slowed down our pace so we would be the only ones there. That couple made their way past us and we made our way to the end. Lauren walked a little bit in front of me to the end of the walkway and I got down on my knee. The rest is history. Our parents and Sam were able to capture that moment for us and we enjoyed lunch afterwards.

Welp, I had no idea it was happening any time soon. With all of the COVID precautions of 2020, it just did not seem like a proposal would be able to happen. Tim would always joke around and get down on one knee randomly while we dated, and I guess that was good practice! I had the day off from school for Election Day and I was so looking forward to a much needed day off. The night before, I knew I wanted to paint my nails as they were starting to chip and my OCD was getting the best of me. I didn't realize it in the moment, but my friends also snap chatted me their nails trying to get me to think about mine, too- thanks, guys! On proposal day, I woke up with every intention of looking and acting like a bum. Tim and I were planning a walk by the lake and lunch at Chief's in downtown LF, but I was ready to wear my sweats and a hat. As we were getting ready for the day and he was wrapping up some work, he commented about my outfit and asked if I wanted to get more dressed up. I thought that was weird, but he covered it by saying we would go out to lunch and have some drinks after our walk. It was a GORGEOUS day to walk the lake. We started to walk and as we got to the point where the path ends, Tim started to slow down. Before I knew it, he was down on one knee and I was screaming, "Is this really happening?!" My parents, his parents, and my best friend, Sam were all there to surprise us. They also FaceTimed our closest friends and family who couldn't be there. We got to spend the afternoon together celebrating and it was absolutely perfect!