#NEWLYUHES

We met through a mutual friend of ours: the internet. We laugh about it all the time and it might not have been romantic or glamorous, but the memories that came after absolutely were. And really that's how it all started: one common interest in musicals. Sometimes it doesn't take something monumental to spark a connection; for us, it was Sara Bareilles and Waitress the Musical. Up to that point in the conversation, we talked like two strangers just meeting, but after, we found ourselves talking like old friends. It wasn't what either of us had planned for that Sunday in March of 2019, but now it is a day that we always carry with us fondly.

Yup. Sam came with us on our first date. Since we had never met in person, Mary Kate's parents were CONVINCED that Aaron was a serial killer and that he was going to murder Mary Kate on their first date (good news: he isn't and he didn't lol). Despite Mary Kate's parents thinking the worst and her brother being only a five-minute car ride away, we had an amazing first date where absolutely NOTHING went according to plan. When Aaron arrived in Carbondale at the winery where we had planned to meet, it was entirely closed off for a 5k race. He had to adapt and re-plan our entire day. And because he did, our entire date was better for it! At a different winery, we met and we spent so much time talking and holding hands, we almost did not have enough time to enjoy MK's picnic. Our original picnic spot was closed, but we ended up finding a beautiful picnic spot in Giant City State Park. It was romantic and intimate, well, until a herd of cub scouts on a nature walk kept staring at us like we were the last two fish at a Petco. But besides that, we shared a delicious picnic with each other and we kissed for the first time. We only have one photo from our first date because we were having such a good time we forgot to take any pictures of ourselves but we did we take one picture of MK's extravagant picnic complete with a handmade charcuterie board. We may not have many pictures, but we will always remember the many screwups that led to our perfect first date.

IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER!!! In Mary Kate's mind, she was only going to the Botanic Gardens to take some pictures of her sister, Rebekah, and a friend of hers, but in reality, it was a setup planned just for her by Aaron and some of her closest family and friends. Mary Kate had wondered if this could be the day that Aaron would propose, but just that morning we had talked on FaceTime and Aaron was still in Illinois at his family's home! As the day went on, Mary Kate put her excitement away because it appeared she had gotten all dressed up and excited for absolutely nothing. But then, as Bekah and MK pulled into the Garden parking lot, she spotted her brothers, Ethan and Sam, walking into the gardens-- they just happened to be there? Only one thought went through MK's mind, "OH IT IS HAPPENING." They all walked around the garden in a big group until they came upon the Japanese Garden and specifically, the Koi pond, where Aaron was waiting for her. When they were finally close enough to see Aaron, everyone was so excited, but Mary Kate was distracted by a very bold woman inching closer and closer to a goose. When she looked up again she saw Aaron and she knew it was happening and all she could say was, "Hi Honey! Whatcha doing? Is this happening? IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?" When she reached Aaron, he told her that 14 months ago was their first date on April 13th, and that we had created so many memories together and that he wanted to keep making memories with her for the rest of his life. So Aaron got down on one knee and proposed and MK said, "OF COURSE I'LL MARRY YOU!!" Aaron very cautiously put the ring on MK's finger making sure it wouldn't fall into the mouth of any super-eager Koi Fish, and we took a moment to be excited- just us- before all the excitement erupted! So, after 14 months of adventures and memories that will last a lifetime Aaron and MK were engaged and it was truly an amazing surprise, which made it the best day ever.