Mike and Natalie met through a mutual friend, Amy...after Mike had repeatedly asked Amy to make an introduction for weeks prior. She finally caved in and introduced them at happy hour. While on their first date at a wine bar, Mike and Natalie soon realized they were both from Southern California, had a love for travel and Christmas traditions, and a mutual dislike of Thanksgiving food (except pie, of course), they knew it was something special. The rest is history, as they say!

Hint: 11.30.2018. Mike here. This was harder to plan than the actual wedding so here's the short version! After visiting Denver and secretly speaking with Natalie's parents, I proceeded to organize a surprise-wedding proposal with the help of Natalie's sorority sister, Mel. As it turned out, Natalie planned her own proposal night without even knowing it, a visit to Lincoln Park to experience the Zoo Lights with friends, Mal and husband Wayne, Kacey, (sorority sister) and husband Eric. I thought what a great idea but proceeded to orchestrate (with Mel's help) a very different evening to include not only our friends, but Natalie's family and mine. Our parents, and siblings flew in from various parts of the county to join in the evening’s activities. A photographer was set to capture the proposal at the Honeycomb, near the Lincoln Park Zoo, with drinks afterwards at the J. Parker with our families, Mal, Wayne, Kacey, Eric, as well as my good buddy Mike, fraternity brother and his fiancée, Mary. We later enjoyed dinner with our families. It all went as planned; a total surprise down to the Sorel boots, turtleneck and hat, Natalie was wearing. But let's not forget about The DePuy Family successfully avoiding Natalie’s constant surveillance on Find my Friends for an entire 24 hours. Oh, and the best part, she said yes! Ask for the full-length feature at the wedding.