Cheers to forever!

February 1, 2011: a blizzard is bearing down on Rockford, IL, and the news crews around town are preparing for marathon snow coverage. Inside the NBC affiliate at the end of Auburn Road, Mark is keeping his head down, focused on the task ahead, while Jessica is getting a first day of work tour. They don't immediately acknowledge one another, but after a few months of working side-by-side, an attraction forms. Chalk it up to flirtations at the Rue, a couple of slyly worded toplines and a shared fondness for the music of Ben Folds. After a few job changes and moves around Wisconsin, Jessica and Mark made things official in 2013 and haven't looked back. Falling in love in the Brew City has been a wild ride, with lots of beer, baseball games, lakeside concerts and trips to the zoo. Jessica and Mark are thrilled to share their love for one another and this city with family and friends this December.

December 11, 2018: Mark and Jessica make a pilgrimage to Chicago each December to see a Blackhawks game, see the sights in downtown and browse the Christkindlmarket. The trip in 2018 was shorter than usual, just enough time to browse the market, ride the CTA holiday train and stroll around the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. Mark had intended on proposing at the Christkindlmarket, but it was too crowded with holiday shoppers. After a short trip from downtown to Lincoln Park, Mark and Jessica wandered around the lighted displays at the zoo. Mark chose a quiet spot in front of the lighted dragon in the lagoon, got down on one knee and asked Jessica to spend the rest of her life with him. She of course said yes!