We met our senior year of high school and were friends for several months before we started dating. Thanks to a few friends who pointed us both in the right direction, it didn't take long for us to realize we were meant to be more than just friends. We both share a memory of a particularly impactful conversation we had our senior year which took us from being friends to more. We both left that conversation thinking, “There’s definitely something special here!" After persevering through long-distance for four years as Chris attended DePaul University in Chicago, IL, and Katie, Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, the rest is history!

Chris asked Mr. and Mrs. Jasinski for their blessing in February of 2020 at their favorite neighborhood restaurant, The Vans. Little did they know, this would be their last time dining at this restaurant as shortly after this the restaurant permanently closed due to the pandemic. Though we're sad to lose one of our family's favorite restaurants, we feel it was meant to be that their last time at the restaurant was spent on such a momentous occasion.

Despite the challenges that a global pandemic presented, Chris was determined to propose to Katie the summer of 2020. Labor Day weekend we had plans to visit Katie's parents at their cabin in Ely, MN on Burntside Lake. (Katie's favorite place in the world.) Katie thought they were making the trip for other reasons and was completely shocked when Chris dropped to one knee on her parent's dock overlooking the lake! After saying "YES!", we got in our car with the plan to meet Katie's parents at the Burntside Lodge for a celebratory drink. When we arrived at the lodge, Katie was in for yet another surprise. Chris had flown in his parents and brother for the weekend as well. This is when Katie truly lost it - she couldn't believe all that Chris had done to make the proposal so incredibly special. Our families spent the rest of the weekend together enjoying the lake and celebrating. It was truly a magical weekend - one of which we will never forget!

After 10 years of dating, we are so excited to be entering into this next chapter of our lives together. We feel immensely grateful to all of our parents, family, and friends who have supported and encouraged us along the way. We cannot wait to celebrate with you all on July 16, 2022, in Carmel!