I was living and working in Iowa City post graduation. Miles was living in Chicago and back in Iowa City for a college friend's wedding. One of my friend's was also in town for that same wedding. The next day after the wedding was the Iowa City Block Party. We planned to go together and halfway through the night she wanted to meet up with people from the wedding. Then I end up at a very classy joint - Brother's Bar and Grill. My friend was off chatting with others and I was standing next to a person wearing a Cubs shirt and galaxy shorts. I look at him and decide to start a conversation and say "So you like the Cubs?" Two weeks later I was visiting friends in Chicago and he convinced me to go on a date with him. One year later I moved to Chicago. Then two years later wind up engaged!

We were visiting Kate's family in Des Moines and I was planning to ask Kate's dad for his blessing. We decided to go golfing while Kate and her mom were getting pedicures. After golfing we got a hot dog at the club house and I asked Kate's dad. He was more than thrilled and gave me his grandmother's ring that was passed down to his mom. Then months later after getting the diamond put on a new setting, I decided to propose on our two year anniversary/one year of moving in together. I planned to do it at a park but it had been raining all day. So threw an audible and decorated the apartment with flowers, candles, photos, and cards we had written to each other while Kate was out. When Kate got back there a rose outside the door and I opened the door and walked Kate over to a letter I wrote her. And in Kate fashion she skipped the letter and went to the last page and saw the picture of the ring, at that point I got down on one knee and asked her. Then went to our favorite restaurant in Chicago, followed by a Zoom call with all our friends.