Our story all began almost twenty years ago. We met in the halls of Proviso West High School and the many Honors and AP classes we shared. Flash forward a few years to a fateful impromptu date at Denny’s. The conversation was free-flowing, and before we knew it, we realized we were still sipping our coffee in the early morning hours. We instantly knew there was something special here. We definitely wanted to get to know each other better and hang out more. There was only one problem. We lived on opposite sides of the country. The logical solution became an endless amount of Skype and Facetime dates. We kept each other updated on our college studies at ASU and UIC, delving deeper into the many things we had in common, like our love of music, comedy, sports, guilty-pleasure TV shows, and video games. These virtual dates became some of the highlights of our weeks in the early days of our budding long-distance relationship. Things, you could say, were getting serious. In March of 2012, I flew from Chicago to Phoenix for Spring Break. A week included a road trip to San Diego, a wicked sunburn at a Cubs spring training game, and an opportunity to meet all of Mercedes’ friends and family. Each and every day, falling more and more in love. Under the stars of a cool desert night, I asked her if she’d be my girlfriend. She said yes! A moment that would change the trajectory of our lives. Two dogs, two cities…the ups and downs…the many joyful memories made…the countless obstacles and challenging situations we always confronted head-on…together. There was always one constant. I knew Mercedes was the person I wanted to experience the rest of my life with. On December 25th, 2023, we went to the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago. Trying desperately to hide my shaking from nerves (and my persistent fear of heights), I got down on one knee on a glass ledge 1,353 ft above the Windy City. I’m almost sure she said yes. In her shock, I managed to get the ring on her finger with my sweaty, shaky hands. Thankfully, someone in the crowd behind us snapped pictures, so I know it wasn’t all a dream.

Okay, wow. He didn’t need to say twenty years, but he’s right. We met during our junior year of high school when I moved from Arizona. As the new kid, I spent time getting the lay of the land. While I developed a crush on Frank (cute, plays soccer, and most importantly, intelligent!?) I quickly learned so many other girls did, too. I tried to talk to him, and he brushed me off. I rolled my eyes, took my L, and kept it moving. As you may know, I am my father’s daughter, quite persistent and stubborn. The first opportunity I had to reconnect with Frank during our junior year of college (notice a trend?) via Facebook, I slid into those DMs. Honestly, my first message was an accident, but I figured while I’m here— let me test the waters… AGAIN. While the conversation was light, I embarked on what I knew would be a marathon. I had his number, ample time, and nothing to lose! On December 27th, I invited him to watch the Bulls with mutual friends. But Frank didn’t show. I texted him and asked to meet and get coffee afterward… A thing I didn’t do at the time. Call it obsession, desperation, or whatever you want—I was not going to throw away my shot. Hundreds of texts, voice, and video calls later… I drove to Sky Harbor to pick up a boy and host him for a week—a boy who gave me butterflies and actively sought to understand me. Let’s be honest; it was an insane move. I don’t like anyone that long. His visit proved quite the opposite, and I didn’t want him to go home. I was sure I had found the one. Since then, he has loved me for the complicated, stubborn mess that I am. The strong, independent woman who never needed a man found the man who affirmed her and gave her a place to be soft and vulnerable. Like any couple, we’re far from perfect. We’ve had our highs and lows, together and apart. The love and support of our family throughout the years have made it possible for us to be here today. Some might consider this wedding overdue, but I say we’ve made a fully informed decision.