Nicole and Eric met their freshman year of college at Illinois State University. After both being persuaded to go out, these two hit it off when they least expected to. Their combination of big personalities and fun attitudes brought these two together that night and set the stage for their epic love story. These two believers in the phrase "everything happens for a reason" was truly evident that night. To say it was a romantic start might be stretching the truth. On a freezing January night, Eric had a great idea to ask Nicole out on a date. Stepping up his game from dining center food, Eric decided to take Nicole on a more gourmet dinner for their first date, so he took her to a very "elegant" Italian restaurant on campus - Noodles and Company. While being freshman, and without a car on campus, the only way for these two to get to the restaurant was to walk. It was during their fifteen minute walk in the 12 degree weather that Nicole started thinking that this date might not go as planned. When they finally arrived at the restaurant, not only did Eric realize that Nicole did not eat pasta, he also realized that the only way he knew how to respond to any of the conversation when he was nervous was with the word "geez". It was clear that this was Nicole's worst date that she had ever been on. Although they had a not so fairytale-like start, they continued to grow their love for one another. While making key memories such as shaking things up on the dance floor at semi-formal and formal dances, to singing in their favorite bars, these two were always having a great time together. For four years, they went through college, progressing through school and growing together. They both were apart of the education program and got to grow their love for teaching. Their time throughout Illinois State University not only taught them how to be professionals, but also gave them lifelong memories. Upon graduation and into their teaching careers, they moved in together in an apartment in downtown Palatine. They were excited for easy access to the city for downtown trips on their summers off. It was all exciting until the Pandemic hit. While teaching remote from a 900 square foot apartment was not ideal, and the tight living quarters, not only did the two make it work, they grew even closer than they could have imagined. From their daily walks to their experiments in the kitchen, it is clear to see that these two survived living together during the pandemic in such a small place. After two great years and one pandemic in Palatine, the two of them decided they were ready to take on the next chapter in life...buying a house. Buying a house during the peak of the market was not easy, but these two sure got lucky and landed a gem in Mundelein that checked all of their boxes. They could not be happier with their house and have loved getting to make it their "home". A few months after purchasing their home, and six years, seven months and one day after they originally started dating (but who was counting?), came the long awaited moment...the PROPOSAL. Eric planned the day down to the minute and it could not have been more perfect. From a surprise proposal in Lake Geneva right on the water, to their families being a part of the day, and a surprise party back at their house in Mundelein with some of their favorite people, it is clear the long anticipated day was well worth the wait. These two are excited to tie the knot on their wedding day and to continue to make memories that will last a lifetime with all of our favorite people that have been a part of our lives.