It all started on a late August night in Chicago, at a rooftop bar in Wrigleyville called the Dugout, just after a Cubs game. John had come in from Indiana with a group of friends, including Dani—who just so happened to be Gabby’s former college teammate and roommate. Gabby, still living in Chicago at the time, met up with them after the game… and from the very beginning, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. John spotted Gabby first, standing up at the bar, and quietly hoped she was the friend Dani had mentioned would be joining them. Not long after, Gabby sat down across from a pretty cute guy—John. On their way to the next bar, Gabby leaned over to her roommate Rachel and whispered, “John’s pretty cute.” Meanwhile, John was having the exact same thought, and wasted no time confirming Gabby was single before buying her a drink. They spent the rest of the night talking for hours… and honestly, they haven’t stopped talking since. Their first date was at a farmers market—simple, easy, and the start of something really special. After a few trips back and forth to see each other and plenty of FaceTime calls, they officially started dating just a couple weeks later. Over the years, their relationship has been full of adventure, laughter, and just the right amount of competition. From traveling all over the Midwest to see each other, to cheering at sporting events and cooking together at home, they’ve built a life around the little moments. They love being active outdoors—whether that’s exploring out West, trying something new, or getting a little too competitive over any game or sport they play together. Along the way, one of the things that has meant the most to both of them is how naturally they’ve fit into each other’s families. Whether it’s holidays, celebrations, or just spending time together, they truly cherish being surrounded by the people who matter most—and feel incredibly lucky to not just have found each other, but to have gained a whole second family in the process. The proposal was one for the books. On Gabby’s dad’s 60th birthday, John used the celebration as the perfect cover. Earlier that day, he and her dad hid the ring inside an escape room as part of the challenge. When Gabby finally unlocked a treasure chest and found a leather map case with a diamond ring inside, she was… confused. Naturally, she thought it was just another clue. It wasn’t until John got down on one knee that everything clicked—and of course, she said yes. After four years of long distance, countless miles traveled, and so many unforgettable memories, Gabby and John are beyond excited to finally start their next chapter together—this time, in the same place.