On a warm Tuesday evening in August, Laura made spontaneous plans to meet up with her friend, Mike, to play cribbage at Draft and Vessel in Wauwatosa. Meanwhile, Chris decided to take a bike ride around Wauwatosa and while riding by Draft and Vessel, decided to venture inside. Upon Chris entering Draft and Vessel, he saw Mike sitting at the bar, and proceeded to sit down next to Mike. Mike just so happens to be the Dad of Chris's childhood friend (and still one of his best friends), Michael. Laura remembers this moment vividly, thinking "who is this cute guy that Mike knows??" Mike and Chris strike up a conversation and Laura, sitting at the other end of the bar with another friend, was wondering when she would get the opportunity to talk to Chris. Laura overhears Chris say that he's single, which is exciting for her! At the same time, Mike is telling Chris covertly that Laura is available, and he could help set them up if Chris is interested. And so, it begins. Eventually the conversation transitions to the group, and when it's time to leave, Laura says to Chris, "nice to meet you, maybe I will see you at a cookout at Mike's house sometime!" Hoping that she would somehow see him again someday. The following Saturday was their first date, at Draft and Vessel.

Chris worked with a local jewelry artist to create the engagement ring using a stone from a ring given to Chris by his Mom, Betsy. The same day he picked up the ring from the jeweler, he brought Laura to the Basilica of Saint Josaphat, waited for the right moment, and asked her to marry him. It was an intimate and sacred moment for them, no spectators, photographers or friends/family to witness their quiet, yet electrifying union. Chris and Laura sat in the pews to savor the moment for a while, then went outside and took a couple photos together and called their parents. Both Chris and Laura then continued to celebrate the (albeit, successful) proposal that evening with a lovely dinner at one of their favorite restaurants in town, Story Hill BKC.