What Kevin remembers: we met in April 2015 through the planning of our upcoming Peru trip. A mutual friend, Bri, asked each of us separately to travel to Peru with her, and we both agreed. Meanwhile, Bri was talking us up to each other. Kevin eventually asked Bri for my number and asked me out over my birthday weekend. Our first date was at Guthrie's, a cozy board-game bar a few blocks from Wrigley Field. We did not play any of the board games (surprising, considering how often we play them now!), but rather sat at the bar and talked for a couple of hours. A second date and a trip to Peru soon followed. What Kevin doesn't remember: we officially first met at Schuba's in March 2015. I was there with Bri to see a concert. Kevin showed up and hung out for a bit until the concert started. He didn't stay too long because he didn't like the band (surprise!), but we did chat for a bit. He asked about my previous travels .

Earlier that week, we decided that we were going to go out to brunch the upcoming Sunday. We didn't have anything else planned for that day and were going to my friend/co-worker's wedding the night before. We wanted a lazy Sunday morning with good food. We wound up eating at White Oak Tavern in Lincoln Park and walked toward the actual park once we were finished. I thought it was a beautiful day - a nice one to get engaged - but as we walked to and through Lincoln Park, past the zoo, past the conservatory, past the Lily Pond, and past the bridge with the great view of the Chicago skyline (where we even took pictures!), nothing happened. By then I figured a proposal would come at a later date, so I was actually quite surprised when he pulled me off the trail and proposed a little further away from the crowds. It was very us - quiet and perfect.