Our tale begins the way many of the best stories do—at a bar. Lainey, fresh off a plane from Longboat Key, was celebrating her birthday with friends at Quartino and Bub City. Matt was enjoying his Friday night the same way many Chicagoans do to survive the winter: bunkered down, trying to forget that the temperature outside was lower than the number of playoff wins the White Sox have had in the past 20 years. Matt would love to say he saw Lainey from across the room and immediately walked over to introduce himself, but in reality, it was a series of sheepish glances until a few Miller Lites gave him the confidence he needed. And while it may have taken longer than it should have, it was the best decision he could have made. What followed was a night full of smiles, laughter, attempts at flirting, and some of the worst excuses for dance moves that Bub City and Red Head Piano Bar has ever seen. Fast forward one week, and a five-hour first date transformed two recent strangers into a couple who felt as though they had known each other forever. Woven throughout those hours of conversation, Lainey became smitten with Matt’s blue eyes, while Matt became enthralled with Lainey’s infectious smile. Over the next three and a half years, their bond only grew stronger as weekly dates turned into long weekends with family, countless hours of country music were sung together in the car, and each milestone felt more natural than the last. It felt only right that Matt proposed in early October along Lake Michigan—a place that had become the backdrop for so many picnic dates and cherished memories—before spending the weekend celebrating both the journey and people that brought them there and the future that lay ahead. Lainey and Matt share many common interests, including walks along the lake, over-ordering at every new restaurant they try, and cheering (or crying) year after year over our favorite teams. But what shines brightest is the love for their people. We cannot wait to welcome you to Chicago to celebrate our special day in a place that means the world to us. Because, at the end of the day, each of you has helped make Lainey, Matt, and Lainey + Matt so special. XOXO