Don is a hopeless romantic & free spirited dreamer with a passion for travel, food,technology and people. He has an unwavering dedication to making those around him feel loved and supported. He has his witty sense of humor that keeps Camille and everyone around him constantly laughing, and his steadfast loyalty makes him the rock Camille can always lean on.

My mom would say I have been competitive since learning to play my first board game; this is something I have incorporated into all aspects of my life. Whether it was striving for good grades or sports competition, I have always been ready for the next challenge. I definitely met my match with Don, who challenges me on a daily and in doing so has helped me become a better person! I’m so excited about the many milestones we will achieve, the countries we will visit, and the laughter that will fill our home daily.

Back in 2019, we met like many modern couples did – swiping right on Tinder. Our first date? Don invited me over to the swimming pool at his apartment building. His first words was “ Damn I should have asked how tall you were '' I laughed it off, but thought to myself, this guy is either crazy or a goofy. Nevertheless I continued on with the date, fortunately he ended up being goofy, (but he’s my goofy). We chatted about everything and nothing over a Giordano's pizza & Tequila by the pool, ending the evening with the TV show Power and birthday cake ice cream from Coldstone’s. From that point forward, we created countless memories. We've traveled the globe together, exploring new cultures and landscapes. Our walks with our beloved dogs became a cherished routine, filled with joy and laughter. Laughter, in fact, became a core element of our relationship. Whether we were traveling, cooking, or simply lounging at home, we found joy and amusement in our shared moments. Then, in the same building where our journey started, we got engaged. We've come full circle from that first Tinder swipe. Today, every pizza slice, every TV episode, and every scoop of ice cream has a special place in our hearts, as we continue to write our story, swiping right on each other every day.l

As I scrolled on Tinder (like most millennials), I saw Don’s pictures and instantly swapped right. After two weeks of texting and phone conversations, our first date was Labor Day in 2019. We spent the day eating pizza around the pool and discussing everything, including our desire to travel and extensive move knowledge! We ended the night with Goldstone’s ice cream and watching an episode of Power. I remember calling my best friend on my way home and saying, “He might be the one.”

On October 1st, 2022, a surprise awaited Camille in our building's 47th-floor party room. She expected a pre-birthday celebration for my birthday which fell on the following Wednesday October 5th. Instead, I planned a proposal. Her friends and family, secretly invited, waited for her post-work arrival. The room was beautifully decorated with rose petals forming a pathway and a heart, while an LED sign spelled "Marry me" against the stunning backdrop of the Chicago skyline along with the soothing sounds of Brian McKnights - Love of my life. When she entered the room her eyes welled up with tears. She began crying uncontrollably, a mix of shock and joy overwhelming her. I took a knee and asked, "Will you marry me?", she nodded through her tears, saying 'yes'. Amidst the shared laughter and crying, we embarked on our new journey together.

I consider myself a hard person to be surprised, but he did it! I had been hinting for months about my desire to take things to the next step, and I figured he felt the same. I came home from work to my best friends assisting me with preparing for what I thought was Don’s birthday. I’m just thankful I went ahead and got my nails done. It wasn’t until I walked into the party room and saw the rose petals on the floor that I realized what this truly was. I cried, and I cried… I knew this was the man God sent to me. The easiest Yes I could have ever said.