It all started on St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Chicago — because where else would fate strike other than in a city covered in green beer and questionable decisions? 🍀 At the time, I was living in LA, deep in my traveling med tech era — bouncing around the country, loving the adventure, and definitely not ready to slow down. One of my friends from Seattle had recently moved to Chicago and invited me out for the weekend. I figured, why not? A little trip to the Midwest for some chaos sounded fun. That night, she introduced me to Mitch. My first thought: he’s cute. My second thought: but I don’t live here, so moving on. We went out with a group, but as the night went on, people started dropping like flies — even the friend I came to visit. Before I knew it, it was just me, Mitch, and one of his friends still out at 2 a.m. Having that extra-large lemonade drink at Fireplace Inn definitely wasn’t necessary, but looking back, I probably kept drinking because I didn’t want the night to end — I was having so much fun and didn’t want to leave. The next day, the group rallied for brunch, and I caught myself side-eyeing Mitch again. He was easygoing, funny, and we matched each other’s energies perfectly. But I still flew back to LA thinking it was just a fun weekend — nothing more. After that, we stayed in light contact — just the occasional Snapchat or Instagram story reply here and there (so romantic, I know). Then I moved from LA to Hawaii for another travel assignment. It was paradise, but after a few months, I started to feel homesick. Hawaii’s amazing, but it’s realllly far, and I was finally ready to slow down. Chicago felt like the perfect happy medium. When I told Mitch I was moving there, he immediately “called dibs” and said he was taking me on a date. I laughed it off like, sure, we’ll see. But he meant it. From the moment I got to Chicago, he was so warm and welcoming. He introduced me to his friends, made me feel instantly included, and followed through on that date. Our first official date was at a Korean BBQ spot — and our meat was definitely overcooked because we were so deep in conversation we kept forgetting it was literally our job to cook it. Somewhere between the dry food and his easy laugh, I realized he might actually be the nicest person I’d ever met. By our second or third date, I could feel myself starting to lean into it — but I still wasn’t ready to admit it out loud. A month or so in, he asked me to be his girlfriend at a bar — so romantic, again, I know — and I completely panicked. I bolted to the bathroom with my girlfriends, blurting out, “What do I do?!” like it was a life-or-death decision. When we went back to his apartment later, just the two of us, I sadly told him, “No… I’m not ready. We need to wait a little longer.” The next day, thinking more clearly and after some much-needed sense got talked into me, I texted him: “I need to come over. We have to talk.” All those dramatics… just to finally say: okay. I’m ready. And that was that. What started as a random St. Patrick’s Day trip turned into the best decision I ever made — proof that sometimes, when everyone else goes home early, it really does pay to stay out past 2 a.m. 💚
St. Patrick's Day weekend in Chicago — a weekend full of bar hopping, Guinness drinking, and fish waking up in a green river. Never did I think in 2022 this would be the weekend I would meet my future wife! A mutual friend of ours invited Lexi into town to celebrate the festivities. She had met Lexi while they were both living in Seattle and had remained in contact ever since (no surprise considering how many close friends Lexi has from her time as a travel Med Tech in Chicago, Denver, Boston, Seattle, LA, Hawaii, etc.). Her comment to me was that she has a brunette friend coming into town that I'd really be interested in…completely ignored this comment. When I first met her that weekend my first thought was "Wow maybe this is someone I'm interested in!" but again shrugged off any further thoughts since she lived halfway across the country. But throughout the weekend this random visitor continued to pique my interest. A ball of energy and always the one to keep the party going and stay out later (even though I now joke with her that she never had a party phase and she's always been a relaxed homebody, I saw glimpses of it this weekend). We ended up staying out till near bar close at Fireplace Inn drinking their infamous Big A$$ Lemonades (a 32oz vodka lemonade for those who haven't experienced it). Her energy and charisma kept me going and continued keeping me wanting for more time with her. The next morning started out with all of us meeting up for a casual brunch, which quickly turned into bottomless mimosas, and further bar hopping into the evening. Even on day 2, hungover, I quickly felt that I needed more of this girl in my life (but again, lived across the country). Some months go by and I'm continuing to reach out by doing the typical story swipe up Insta DMs and sending drunk Snapchats. The Snapchats were getting especially difficult due to the massive time difference with her moving to Hawaii (i.e. me up at 3/4am trying to work my non-existent magic). Then one day I get a Snap from her saying simply "did I tell you I'm moving to Chicago next?" My heart rate quickly increased as I immediately responded, "I'm taking you on a date the second you move here." And I did. Sooner than later one date turned into two, then four, then six and I knew I'd found someone special. Fairly overserved at a bar (not my fault) I decided I was going to ask her to be my girlfriend. I mentioned to one of her friends who quickly informed Lexi and my plan seemed to be falling apart before even starting. We went back to my apartment to talk one on one and I asked the question, her response: "I need to think about it." Devastating, but I knew how she felt and trusted that everything would work out. A few days later I get a text saying she needs to come over and talk. I knew I had it in the bag, so wasn't concerned in the slightest! She gets over, sits on the couch, puts both her hands on her knees, lets out a big sigh… "I think I'm ready." Not the resounding yes I was looking for but, hey, still a yes! A few months went by with everything going incredible! Finally the time to travel to Cleveland to meet her family over 4th of July Weekend. A weekend spent boozing, meeting her large Italian family and friends, touring the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, and watching the Royals lose to the Guardians (boo!) ended up being one I will never forget. At the end of the weekend while we were sitting outside on the patio her dad said "you know what, Mitch, you fit right in here", Lexi quickly chirped "DAD! Don't make it so easy on him!" In that moment, everything felt perfect, and I knew this was who I wanted to spend my life with. Looking back on that 2022 St. Patty's Day it amazes me that a girl visiting from another state was able to make such an impact on my life so quickly. I now know she made such an impact because she wasn’t just some girl visiting. She was my soulmate — and we were destined to be together forever.