In the auspicious summer of 2020, Dave reached out to Laura on a dating app. At first, assuming Dave’s relationship potential to be on par with the vast majority of men on The Apps, Laura politely indulged his efforts with stock banter. But through dogged persistence and the apparently rare capacity both to ask questions and respond directly to Laura’s answers, Dave secured a first date. With precious few activities at their disposal during lockdown, the two met in Chicago’s beautiful River Park for a stroll of indefinite length. Lulled into increasingly rewarding conversation, the fast pair plopped beneath a tree and proceeded to lose track of time for the next six hours. They talked about love. They talked about life and death. They talked about their careers. And they talked about magic, all under the illumination of an absurdly prominent full moon. It was surreal. As Laura told her sister Grace that night, “I’m either going to marry this guy or I’ll never see him again.” Fortunately for our beloved protagonists, they proceeded to see each other again and again. Drawn together by a shared love of the arts, nature, and travel, the two learned to support each other on the path to graduate degrees and new careers, home ownership, and a merged community of friends and family (to the delight, especially, of Laura's dog Pancake, whose loyalty and affection was instantly captured by, and still remains, with Dave). Three years after that first date, on Juno Beach, Florida—a sanctuary to Laura’s beloved sea turtles and home to her grandmother during Laura’s childhood—Dave proposed. Laura enthusiastically accepted, and the two began planning the party that you’re invited to this fall. They’d love for you to attend.