Sean and Sydney met at a small New Year’s Eve party he threw in Bettendorf, Iowa. Sydney’s friend invited her and a few others to the party. The group spent all night talking, laughing, and playing games. In the morning, Sean’s car wouldn’t start and he needed a ride to work. Sydney offered to drive him and he bought her a coffee as a “thank you.” After that day, the couple connected online and had their first date at that same coffee shop two weeks later...the rest is history!

The way Sean asked Sydney to marry him was nostalgic & picture perfect. He told Sydney to get ready and dress up because he was taking her somewhere fancy for dinner. Once she was ready, he said the restaurant choice was a surprise, so he’d drive. After about an hour drive out of Iowa City, they pulled into a Steak ‘n Shake. Sydney was obviously confused as he gestured for her to get out of the car. As they walked into the burger joint dressed to the nines, they laughed about how silly they must have looked. Although it wasn’t a fancy restaurant—it was a special one. This was the very Steak ‘n Shake that the couple would frequent with friends the winter they met. Lots of great memories happened there. They decided to order the same meals they would get back in early 2015 to add to the nostalgia. After eating, Sean said he had another surprise for her. They drove for about 30 minutes around the town reminiscing about the times they had when they lived there before Sydney went to college. They then arrived at a park that they used to spend lots of time in during previous summers. They walked a few laps around the park talking and enjoying the quiet of the night. They then strolled toward the large fountain in the center of the park. As the fountain began to rise, lights lit the water up a bright pink & orange color. Sean got down on one knee and asked Sydney to he his wife. After the beautiful moment, four of their friends (who are all part of the wedding party) came out of the bushes they were hiding in to congratulate them. The night was beautiful, nostlagic, and a perfect reflection of the couple and their love for each other.