Joel and Kate sat in the same row in their high school chemistry class, but their love story didn't begin until years later, when they were both home for the holidays (Kate did, however, put out a subtle antenna when they were classmates and share with Joel a dream she'd had in which they were captain and copilot of a cruise ship, though tactfully omitting the part where they kissed). To quote Joel, "We weren't really friends." Like all the great loves documented over the course of human history, this one began over Snapchat (or maybe Instagram? They can't remember). In winter 2019, Kate posted that she felt Scrooge-y and disenchanted by the looming holiday season, and certified Christmas lover Joel felt he had no choice but to ask her to dinner to cheer her up. Over a bread plate at DiGiacinto, these two bonded over their shared love of skyscrapers and "Step" by Vampire Weekend. They talked about all the places they wanted to visit one day and what sorts of jobs they hoped to have. Though they didn't share it aloud at the time, their thoughts echoed, 'Oh, my family would love you.' Joel kept Kate laughing, proved an attentive listener, and insisted on picking up the check—still, she couldn't help but wonder whether this was a date-date or he was too good to be true. Being greeted at the host stand with, "Joel, you always bring the prettiest girls here," hadn't exactly clarified things. They drove around until almost 3 a.m., neither wanting the evening to end. They got ice cream, watched snow fall on the downtown square, rated the Christmas-light displays in all the nicest neighborhoods, and strolled through Bass Pro—anything to delay goodnight. Only when they entered a state of sleepy delirium did Joel drop Kate off at home, leaving her to wonder if she'd just gone on the best date of her life (fun) or if she'd simply made a good friend (boring). Now, six years later, Joel and Kate live together in a Chicago skyscraper and share a love with the same playfulness and friendship at its core. They got engaged on September 23, 2024, while vacationing in Belgium. As the sun set on a fairytale day spent exploring medieval Ghent together, Joel brought Kate to the old weeping willows that line the River Lys, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him—the quickest yes of her life! They could not be more excited to bring everyone they love together to celebrate the union of their families.