Let's celebrate!

Laura first met Anthony at a birthday party for Lisa (Laura's MOH), hosted by Christian (Anthony's Best Man). Anthony arrived to the Naperville rooftop bar wearing an amazing Britney Spears shirt and immediately caught Laura's eye. Most of the night, Laura was dancing with Lisa and musing out loud, "Where is Anthony? Is he still up on the rooftop bar? I hope I get to dance with him!" He was completely oblivious on the rooftop of the bar. He finally came down to the dance floor but Laura's friend, Jeremy (Anthony's groomsman), was headed back to the city and Laura had to go back to the city, as well. Laura vividly still remembers looking around searching for Anthony to dance with. Now, she gets to dance with him daily! Flash forward to 8 months later - Lisa had invited Laura out numerous times (noting "Anthony will be there!") but often Laura couldn't make it because she was working/babysitting or couldn't get out to the suburbs. Finally, the stars aligned during St. Patty's Day weekend. Laura had been invited to a Wrigleyville bar crawl, but decided to change plans and head to a bar crawl with Lisa in Westmont instead. En route, Lisa texted that Anthony would also be there - and Laura felt giddy but not nervous/shy! She walked into the meet-up spot (a local diner) and gave Anthony a BIG hug. We still talk about that hug. After that day, Laura and Anthony became inseparable - from their first date (6+ hours' long!) to moving in together 2 years later, it has been an amazing journey.

Anthony pulled off the most perfect engagement for Laura. To say that she was IN SHOCK is an understatement! It was Summer 2021 and Laura and Anthony were in New England for Lisa & Christian's wedding! They were staying in Rhode Island for about a week after their wedding. Anthony had somehow asked Laura's parents for their blessing while playing cards the following Monday, and that was (completely unbeknowst to Laura) his goal during the trip. Anthony was planning on asking Laura later on in Chicago, but then decided that he should propose in New England (where the majority of Laura's family & friends are!). He brilliantly would put on movies that he knew Laura wouldn't be interested in most nights so that he would have time alone to look at rings. On the morning on Wednesday 7/7/21, Anthony told Laura that he was going to go on a run. Laura said, "Hmm..I should go for a run, too." He told her that he was going to take some time alone to talk with his mom on the phone, and Laura thought nothing of it - "Oh yea, you do take some time on the phone. Have fun!" A few hours passed, and Laura still thought nothing of it. Little did she know, Anthony was STRESSING after having driven about 45 minutes from their remote Airbnb to Warwick RI to get the ring. He then proceeded to log a fake run and drive back to the Airbnb with the A/C off (on a 90+ degree day!) so that he was SO sweaty when he got back. Two days later, Friday 7/9, was the night of Laura & Anthony's dinner hang-out with Lisa and Christian. Laura knew that we were celebrating Lisa & Christian's new marriage/move to MA, so she booked a reservation on the outdoor patio at Coast Guard House in Narragansett. That afternoon there had been storms, so Laura got a call from the restaurant: "Patio will be closed/reservation cancelled, but you can do first-come, first-serve for inside the restaurant." Laura told Anthony nonchalantly that the reservation was cancelled and Anthony was panicking!

Lisa & Christian had booked a hotel nearby and luckily waited for a group table while Laura & Anthony went out to dinner with Laura's parents (who knew that it MIGHT happen tonight but they weren't sure!). Upon arrival at The Coast Guard House, Anthony met with Christian briefly by the bathroom - "it's happening tonight!" In a twist of fate, with the patio closed and weather cleared up, the four of them were able to order drinks and have the patio almost completely to themselves. They were taking photos on the patio by the ocean, and Laura said "Let's get a picture of Anthony and Christian - and now the newlyweds!" And then they said, "How about one of you and Anthony?" Laura thought nothing of this and was posing, when Anthony kissed her, got down on one knee, and made her the luckiest girl ever! Surrounded by their best friends, champagne was cut with a sword, and the celebrations began (and continue daily!).