We're Getting Married!

We first met at the NIU Homecoming Football game in 2013 while Katie was finishing her undergraduate degree and Justin was a visiting alumnus. We originally bonded over running, our Honor’s capstone projects, and our love for Chicago. Although our lives took us in different directions initially, fate brought us back together a year later. Katie had now started her Doctor of Physical Therapy program and Justin was working for a consulting firm while living with friends in Chicago. Katie started visiting and knew it was love when Justin took her to "Cheesie’s" Pub & Grub for their first date (even though he didn’t realize it was a date). Two higher degrees, a dog, and a move halfway across the country later…our story is just getting started!

After five years of experiencing life’s ups and downs together, Justin FINALLY worked up the courage to ask for Katie’s hand in marriage. He found the perfect ring and received Bob and Mary Lee’s blessing, but just needed to find the right setting to propose. While wine tasting in Sonoma County with Katie’s family, the ideal opportunity presented itself when we were sipping on wine during sunset and looking over the Russian River valley (with Mary Lee hinting, “I think this is the spot”). Everything came together…Justin got down on one knee and Katie said “WINE” not!