We're getting married!

Michael and Nicole’s love story began in the heart of Chicago, with a dating app match that led to an unforgettable first meeting. Nicole, a dedicated nurse at Northwestern, worked the grueling night shift on a Saturday. Michael, always up for a good time, planned their first date at Recess in Chicago for a boozy brunch on Sunday. The morning of the date, Michael was excitedly texting Nicole, but her replies never came. As the time for their brunch approached and still no word from Nicole, Michael reluctantly canceled the reservation. An hour later, Nicole finally responded, full of apologies. She had fallen asleep after a long and exhausting shift, completely sleeping through her alarm. Michael, whose younger sister Madison also worked night shifts at Northwestern, understood the challenges of such a schedule. Nicole felt terrible and didn’t want to let the connection slip away. She asked if they could reschedule for the following weekend, but Michael was heading home to Detroit for Mother’s Day. Not wanting to wait, Nicole took a chance and asked, “How about we retry today?” Michael, who had no other plans and was already ready to go, happily agreed. He quickly made a new reservation at the rooftop of The Godfrey Hotel, taking advantage of the gorgeous Chicago weather. And that’s where it all began. When Michael and Nicole met for the first time, they shared appetizers, mimosas, and endless laughter. From the very start, their connection felt easy and natural, which, as anyone in the Chicago dating scene knows, is no small feat. Four-plus years later, Michael and Nicole are an inseparable team, deeply in love and tackling life together. While much has changed over the years, one thing has stayed the same: their dates, events, and trips are always chaotic—but they wouldn’t have it any other way.