Michael and Jackie met on July 30, 2016. This important day played a huge role in selecting their wedding date. That day, Michael and his friend, Ryan, boated on the Chain of Lakes. Meanwhile, Jackie spent the day at a bachelorette party on a rooftop at the Cub’s game. Jackie’s friend Sam picked her up at the train and they headed over to Ryan’s house to hang out on that beautiful summer night in the hot tub. Michael, Sam, and Ryan went to college together at NIU, and Sam and Ryan, now the best man and Bridesmaid, introduced Michael and Jackie. They hung out all night which sparked the beginning of their friendship. Jackie had just ended a long-term relationship and wasn’t ready to start dating. Meanwhile, Michael confided to his mother that he had met someone special, and he said he would wait for her as long as it took. They spent a lot of time getting to know each other and boating on Lake Geneva and the Chain of Lakes, hung out in the city, and traveled, but it wasn’t until almost six months later that Jackie started introducing Michael as her boyfriend.

In Fall 2017, Michael went back to school and earned his CNC certification, which helped him secure a supervisor job at Elburn Metal Stamping Company. Jackie, too, went back to school and is finishing a degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a specialization in Autism. Spring of 2018, Michael made the decision to leave Sycamore and sold his home of 10 years. Jackie had been living with her family, and they decided to move in together. Due to very slim pickings, they rented a pit in Algonquin. This house presented major challenges—no air conditioning making for a miserable summer; no laundry at the house so they hung out at the laundromat; and several plumbing issues prompting them to join a gym just to shower. They moved out ahead of the lease-end date after finding a beautiful rental home in Lake in the Hills where they still live four years later amongst the finer things-- enjoying the AC, clean water and showers at home, and the use of their own washer and dryer. In 2020, Covid hit. Michael was furloughed and Jackie’s job was put on hold. Through quarantine, they landscaped, painted, played games, Zoomed, binge-watched TV, boated, and focused on a healthier lifestyle. Their relationship grew even stronger. They love to travel together and with friends and have spent time in Punta Cana, Colorado, Florida, Nashville, and New Orleans, to name a few.

At the end of 2021, Michael, traditional at heart, met with Bob (Jackie’s dad) to ask for Jackie’s hand…and to swear him to secrecy since Sandra (Jackie’s mom) would never ever be able to keep the secret. He also shared his exciting news with his mom Carrie, and sister, Kristin. With proposing in mind, Michael planned their anniversary get away. Jackie was busy with school and work and did not think much of it. On January 29, 2022 they headed to Lake Geneva. They met a nice family at the hotel pool, went to dinner, and bundled up for Ice Castles. In the frigid temps, Jackie ventured down the ice slide while Michael waited at the bottom on one knee…Jackie took one look at Michael and assumed he had fallen. “Oh honey, are you ok?” she asked. Michael responded with “Will you marry me?” In shock but without hesitation, Jackie replied “YES” and flung her arms in the air. Coincidentally, the family they had met earlier in the day was also there and captured this moment on film. They are having fun planning their wedding set for July 29, 2023 and cannot wait to celebrate with you!