We met at a cocktail event in the city. It took us 4 months to actually go on a first date, but once we did... we showed up wearing matching outfits! We discussed our mutual love of mangoes, that we both lived in NYC (during overlapping years), and a passion for exploring. Our second date, I kid you not, had more than seven stops to various bars, restaurants and cultural highlights, like the Field Museum. After that, I think we knew we had found pretty special match in the other.

Gary had set a resolution that he was going to go on an abroad trip annually, only the year prior. He went to Spain solo and had the most amazing time. So when Laila showed up in his life before his next trip, he surprised her by inviting her to go with him! When we stepped off the plane into Thailand and experienced a wall of heat, tropical leaves, bustling city environment, and so much street food... we knew immediately we were going to love it here. We woke up at 6am every day with excitement, visited so many markets, drank lots of espresso, walked a ton, ate delicious food, went to epic botanic gardens, walked even more so we could eat even more. After this first trip, we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives traveling, eating and exploring together. We continue this annual trip tradition with so much joy. We've chosen traditional Northern Thai food for the party to share in this with you.

Laila popped the Q after wine-ing and dining Gary (at El Ideas with a fancy tasting menu) and looking at the amazing architectural details at the Chicago Cultural Center. Yes, she got down on one knee, and asked Gary with a watch. But really, she proposed to him wayyy before that (back in January), at home, in bed. He said yes both times.