We both went to the University of Illinois, lived in the same dorm, and shared mutual friends—but somehow we never crossed paths during our college years. It wasn’t until a year after graduation, when we both returned to campus for Homecoming that we met through mutual friends at our favorite campus bar The Red Lion! A week later we went on our first date at Matilda, a local bar in Lakeview, and we have been together ever since. We've made Lakeview our home and we still enjoy stopping into Matilda for pizza & a beer!

Tom popped the question during our vacation in Barcelona in August 2024. He proposed on the first morning of our trip, at Parque Güell overlooking the city. We spent that week enjoying each other's company (and lots of tapas!) before heading back home to our celebrate with our family and friends.