The Mondragón Schrader’s

Grew up in Napa California, raised by my grandparents, Pilar and Juan Carrillo. In a short few years the house hold expanded to a total of 11 people. I was lucky to grow up with my 5 boy cousins and became a certified tomboy immediately. Friendly competition was always a part of our family dynamic and sports quickly became my outlet. After high school I went to Cosmetology school so I can have some steady cash going to college, but lets face it, the only reason I went to college was to play basketball, and then that ended. I decided to "find myself" with my partner in crime, Papi, instead of burning a hole through my pockets with student debt. In the next few years of "finding myself," I found a loving community through rugby. The Berkley All Blues became my home for the next 4 years, and seriously changed my life. I would have never guessed my first practice would lead me to my forever best friend.

Growing up from Henderson, NV, I played many sports (specifically skiing and soccer) and the drums starting from Elementary school. I moved to Boulder, CO for college and got my degree in Psychology with a minor in Italian. I decided to continue on with schooling and moved to Chicago where I completed my Master's in Forensic Psychology. After working for C(r)ook County as a mental health specialist, it was time to switch fields. Now I am a sports counselor and loving the flexible hours! I love taking Bernardo and Papi on their dog walks, enjoy cooking and making coffee, recently picked up DJ-ing, and of course playing soccer and rugby. Why rugby one might ask? Well thanks to the 2016 Olympics the sport was brought to my attention and I've been playing ever since! The nickname "Shredder" was born because of my position as a fast winger on the field. I had just graduated Grad School and figured why not! Long story short, three years into loving this new sport, I also found the love of my life!

One word that describes everything to the start of our story: Rugby. Marseille grew up playing basketball and Christina playing soccer, but one day the stars aligned and the two of us decided to learn and play rugby. Starting the sport in the same year, but on different ends of the country, who knew it would lead to our forever story! Fast forward to both our 2nd year playing, Christina's rugby team joins the upper level in the West Division, and one of the opposing teams is Marseille's team in California. The home team hosts the away team, and coincidentally Marseille was Christina's host. Good conversations were had and a friendship was born. We kept in touch often, and then Marseille made the big move to come to Chicago for a visit! It was obvious that this relationship was more than a friendship, and after a year, Marseille made the big move to Chicago. The rest is history.

On a cold January 10th night in Chicago, we decided to take a walk on the riverwalk before dinner. Right across from the Merchandise Mart (an important landmark for the both of us) you find us standing on the Floating Gardens. As we are gayyyyzing at the water, staring at the Merchandise Mart, Marseille got down on one knee and proposed with Christina's dream ring and forever roses. It was truly a magical, fairy tale night!