Natalie and Joe were introduced by Natalie's cousin Katie, who was also Joe's friend in Chicago. Natalie had recently graduated from college and was looking for jobs and cities to begin her career. Natalie had planned a trip to visit Chicago and Katie tasked Joe with selling her on Chicago and all the opportunities that would come along with it. The first morning of her trip Joe took the day off to show her around the city. He brought her to the Lincoln Park Zoo and they immediately hit it off. This is where their story begins...

Joe completely surprised Natalie! For months and months Joe had said that he would never propose to someone in a way that drew a lot of attention or invite anyone as a witness to the proposal. On a thankfully not too cold January afternoon, Joe took Natalie to the Lincoln Park Zoo in broad daylight and told her they were there to watch a light show...LOL. Being as gullible as Natalie is, she believed him thinking he just had the time wrong. They walked almost the whole zoo without seeing any lights or even very many animals and it was starting to get dark. Joe asked Natalie "What if this is our last visit to the zoo?" She responded by saying "This would be the worst trip ever!" Joe laughed and led Natalie to the last section of the zoo, their favorite spot. As they turned the corner Natalie noticed some lights and leaned into Joe excitedly and said "Oh look the light show is starting!" Through the huge crowd of strangers, and a hidden family photographer, she noticed the lights were actually a sign that said "Will you marry me?" Natalie looked down to see Joe on one knee and immediately started to crying. "YES!" And to top it all off, as they walked out of the zoo Natalie's entire family was waiting for them. Joe had done everything for Natalie that he swore he would never do for anyone else.