We are getting married!!

Robin and I grew up about 30 miles from each other in Southeast Michigan. We both attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. We traveled to many of the same places, and we lived in many different places. But it took the power of the internet, and fate’s hand, to bring us together. We met for our first date in January of 2016 at Cindy’s atop the historic Chicago Athletic Association. Her smile was radiant. I instantly wanted to know more about her—what, where, when, why, and what’s next? We spent hours that night chatting about where our paths had crossed, where they diverged, and lessons learned along the way. There was truth, laugher, tenderness, and warmth between us. After years of searching, we had finally found each other.

Robin and I love to experience travel together. Over two years, we've taken many trips together for business and pleasure. We enjoy the beauty in the local art, music, styles, and food. We dream about what life would be like in a different place. Maybe in a little house by a lake? On one such weekend trip to Madison, Wisconsin, I shared with Robin how much I love traveling to new places with her. After a nice dinner out, we took a little walk, and we looked back on the places that we had traveled to together. And I proposed a few new places that we should consider next. “Robin, I love traveling with you. In fact, this new jacket has a custom silk liner with some of the places we could go to next.” I showed her the inside of my new sports coat. “See, we could go to Paris next.” “Wow! That’s pretty cool,” she said. “How much was this one?” “Oh, eh-hem, that’s not important,” I said. She smiled knowingly. “What’s important,” I continued, as if selling Robin on the idea of traveling with me for a lifetime to come, "is this special pocket on the inside of the jacket.” I opened the lapel of the jacket. “Can you read the label on the pocket?” The label read: “Will You Marry Me?” Her smile was radiant.