we're getting married!

Emily and Taylor’s love story started long before the couple had even laid eyes on each other. As a senior in high school, Taylor had a distinctive gut feeling that told him to attend Indiana University. Little did he know that this decision would alter the course of his life as this is where he would meet his bride to be, Emily. The Bride and Groom lived on the same block freshman year but didn’t know it. Looking back now they wonder how many times their paths may have crossed on the way to class or in the dining halls. Sophomore year Emily became close friends with Taylor’s fraternity brothers and he would notice her at AEPi's house parties but was ultimately too shy to “make his move.” One special day the couples eyes met from across the room and Emily ultimately made the first move by playfully stealing Taylor’s hat – the rest was history. The couple enjoyed the remainder of their time at Bloomington exploring campus, discovering new restaurants and hanging out with friends. In May of 2018, as fate would have it, they were side by side crossing the graduation stage. The Bride and Groom’s love continued to flourish as they both moved to Chicago post-graduation. The first day Emily moved to town was so special for Taylor as he could hardly contain his excitement for the two of them to run around the city that held his heart. The first weekend was spent biking up and down the gorgeous Chicago lakefront, occasionally stopping to take a dip in the lake with the skyline looking down upon the young lovers. The world was theirs for the taking as the couple blossomed from small town Bloomington to big city Chicago nothing could stop them. They spent much of their time taking in everything the city had to offer – cool restaurants, beautiful architecture, entertaining concerts and of course weekend afternoons in the Wrigley Field bleacher sun. In the summer of 2021, a career opportunity came to Emily to jump into a more creative role in New York City. As a lover of theatre and the hustle and bustle, it had been her dream to live in Manhattan since she was young and although a difficult decision, it was time for her to take the leap. The next year was spent aboard monthly flights between the cities (how neither couple has achieved Platinum status on Delta Airlines is still a mystery). As Taylor visited NYC for the first time, Emily secretly had hopes of him moving to the city that held her heart. Running around the Big Apple taking in the culture and food was very eye opening, but he was still intimidated to move full time. As the couple continued to navigate a long-distance relationship, Taylor was slowly warming to the idea of a life out East. He decided to visit Emily for a full week to truly see if the “small town” Chicago kid could handle the monstrosity that is Manhattan. The couple trusted their instincts and in June of 2021 they signed their first lease together on the cozy corner of 17th Street and Irving Place in the Gramercy Park neighborhood. Taylor had always known that Emily was the one for him but to feel how much she has helped him grow cemented that feeling even further. On a beautiful Spring Day, the Groom dropped to one knee in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn. The Chicago Skyline that once looked down upon the young couple in Lake Michigan had now shifted to the Manhattan skyscrapers smiling down as Emily said the magic word: YES! Both sets of parents happily booked flights to come surprise the Bride as well as numerous friends from around the country. The following hours after the proposal truly show how much Taylor and Emily mean to their friends and family. The outpouring of love Taylor and Emily received that day is warm in their hearts and they can’t wait to feel the energy on November 1st, 2025. L’Chiam!!