We’re getting married!

We met in middle school at a Libertyville football game and were "dating" a few months later despite physically hanging out no more than three times.  All it took was a few strategic Facebook “pokes” to seal the deal. After a tumultuous first couple of months and a handful of dramatic "break-ups”, typical for 13 year olds, we gave it another shot as incoming freshmen at LHS. The next four years were spent writing each other countless notes during class, skipping practice to hangout, doing each other's homework and secretly texting on iPods. After high school, we both attended Loyola (2018 Final Four, 4x MVC champs in the last five years, only Division I university in the state of Illinois with a national title in men's basketball, etc.) Loyola is where we became inseparable. We were more independent, could hangout everyday, and we witnessed history together! In our time at LUC, the Cubs were going through their most exciting period of all time. Living so close, we went to Wrigley Field nearly twice a week (shoutout to Aunt Bridget & Uncle Jordan).  Countless memories were created at The Friendly Confines and we will both admit that is when we really "fell in love.” While walking home from Game 4 of the NLDS after they beat the Cardinals in an iconic game, we realized who we wanted at our side when creating our greatest memories. A year later, we graduated college together the same way we did four years prior in high school. Since then, we've started our careers, quit jobs, moved to different states, become scratch golfers and gone through countless other changes together. There have been periods of happiness, excitement and even stupidity, but we've been through them together with each moment turning us into even more of a juggernaut of a relationship!

While on a contract in Tucson, Arizona, all the locals told us that the “must see” site was Mount Lemmon. When we finally went, we found out why. Covered in cactus of the Coronado National Forest at the bottom, with a snowy ski resort on top, we drove through all four seasons on our 26 mile trek up Mount Lemmon. Seriously, we found snow, in Arizona! With a peak at over 9000 feet of elevation, the many vista points showed the most breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and Tucson. While driving back down, we noticed a crowd stopped at one spot. We stepped out of the car to look around and got caught up in the most amazing view of the sunset! Pictures just don’t do it justice, we wanted to show everyone! A few weeks later, when Brian came to visit, we knew we had to take him up Mount Lemmon. After going to the infamous Cookie Cabin at the peak, we made our way back down with perfect timing to stop at our new sunset spot. I kept going out further and further on the rocks to find the best peak to watch from. While admiring my perfect spot, I turned around and Patrick was on his knee. After years of dodging the marriage questions from family and friends, it was finally the right time, OUR right time. So, of course, YES!!! I should have known when Patrick put on his nice jeans for a hike but figured I’d EASILY see a ring box in those pockets so my first question— Where did you hide it?! Turns out, Brian had it the whole time. I’m sure the sunset was great but all I could look at was the beautiful ring on my finger! Still, it was the BEST SUNSET EVER. We’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter of our lives with you. See you in Mexico!