It all started with an email - super romantic, we know! Alex reached out to Sarah, interested in chatting about her job in the Air Force. Little did he know, this would mark the beginning of a series of strategic moves (or so Sarah claims). As fellow Air Force captains, Alex wanted to learn the ropes of her role, to not only learn about her job but also, perhaps, *steal* it when she eventually moved on. A cunning strategy, Alex! Sarah replied with classic precision and promptness… a whole two months later. But hey, her record of texting back quickly has always been a bit spotty. After finally connecting, the conversation led to a surprising discovery: their mutual love for music. From there, it was a series of concerts, shared playlists, and way too many hours spent in record stores. Since meeting, we’ve gone to over 50 concerts together—something we both swear isn’t excessive at all! Fast forward to late 2022, when we officially started dating, both adamant that marriage wasn’t for us. Famous last words! Our relationship strengthened through Sarah's healing from surgery, knowing that Sarah would soon be moving, a million text messages, travel adventures, and some impressive logistical efforts to stay connected after Sarah moved to Chicago in 2023 to start her PhD at DePaul University. Between Alex’s frequent trips to Chicago and Sarah’s occasional visits back to Ohio, we made long-distance feel a lot less distant. And then came the moment Sarah tearfully said "yes!" to Alex’s perfect proposal. With the help of their friends in Chicago, Alex surprised Sarah on the rooftop of the Carbide & Carbon Building, and she *did not see it coming*—despite some very close calls. Choosing the House of Blues for our wedding was a no-brainer, a nod to our shared love of music and a venue that’s practically Sarah’s second home (she’s met a ton of our friends there, after all). We’re beyond excited to celebrate our love in a place that’s been the backdrop to so many concerts, memories, and now, the ultimate stage for our future together.