Sophomore year at Miami University, Lydia's sorority was hosting its annual 'Margaritaville' party and she needed a date. She asked a mutual friend if he knew anyone "decent and kinda smart" (her direct quote) -- which is about as picky as you can be for greek life blind dates. While we had a great time dancing to Jimmy Buffett that day, we didn't really keep in touch. Thanks to a serendipitous run-in between classes a year later, we actually began to see each other more frequently while out and about in Oxford. I asked her on a date that winter, but much to my dismay Lydia politely declined. At that point, I sadly accepted that we just didn't get the timing right. But of course the story doesn't end there (we are getting married after all). Coming back from spring break some months later, we saw each other at a coffee shop in town and struck up a conversation. My persistence prevailed, and we started dating that summer when she visited me in New York City. The next 6 years were some of the best of my life, and looking back I owe it to Jimmy Buffett, Oxford Ohio, suspiciously similar walking routes to class, and not giving up when you know you found the right person.

One casual weekend in February, my parents were in town to visit. Saturday morning, we woke up and got ready to go to brunch before starting our day of classic Chicago activities. Alex made us a brunch reservation and then we planned to go to a museum. My dad offered to drive, so my parents sat in the front, and I sat in the back with Alex. He dropped us off across the bridge, stating he’d find somewhere to park with my mom and meet us in the restaurant. We walked under the bridge towards Lake Michigan. However, instead of heading to the restaurant, we took a detour towards the water because it was the most gorgeous day. Alex pulled out an envelope titled “The List” which I immediately recognized, and this was the FIRST moment I had any idea what was happening! The List was a 5-page letter we wrote together on our very last night of college at Miami before having to date long distance. It included all of our favorite moments together - some pivotal, some minuscule - all memorable to us. It was a sealed time capsule of sorts, which I had long forgotten. After we finished reading and reminiscing, Alex asked me to marry him and of course I said yes! I am still shocked that he pulled off the greatest surprise of all and we proceeded to have the most incredible weekend celebrating with each another and our families.