We’re Getting Married!

We met in 2020 through mutual friends at Philippe’s house, and we instantly clicked. From the beginning, it felt easy — nonstop laughing, joking around, and naturally enjoying each other’s company during the middle of COVID. We quickly went from strangers to best friends.

Our first date was grabbing Slurpees at Thorntons in Cary, Illinois. It wasn’t fancy at all, but it was perfect for us. Looking back, it really set the tone for how we are together — simple, fun, and always laughing.

That summer, we spent so much time together at Philippe’s family lake house in Tomahawk and on the Fox River — and quickly realized our favorite thing to do together is be on the water. In the fall, we took on long distance while Elisabeth went to the University of Alabama and Philippe finished at Illinois State University. Even though it was only from August 2020 to May 2021, we made it work by visiting each other often — football weekends in Alabama, visits to ISU, and always finding time together. By May 2021, Elisabeth returned home and finished at DePaul University, and from there we’ve been inseparable.

In 2023, we moved into our first apartment together in River North, officially starting our life as a team. In 2025, we moved into our first home in Barrington. Shortly after moving in, we welcomed our golden retriever, Bama — named after our love for Alabama and sports. He quickly became such a big part of our everyday life.

You can usually find us on the water, trying new restaurants, at concerts, or at sporting events. No matter what we’re doing, we’re best when we’re together — laughing, joking, and enjoying life as a team.

We are so excited to celebrate our wedding day on April 24, 2027, surrounded by the people we love most. This is just the beginning of our next chapter, and we can’t wait for everything ahead.