Both regular attendees of Cor Jesu, a popular event for young adult Catholics near Milwaukee, Chris and Emily were already familiar faces when they met while chaperoning a high school senior retreat along with a couple mutual friends. They soon came to learn they shared many mutual friends throughout the young adult Catholic community in Milwaukee. Little did Emily know, Chris had already been inquiring about Emily's dating status for months prior. By some detective work, he learned of Emily's interest in music and appreciation for live music, and 3 months later he mustered the courage to ask her on a date - a concert to see Judah and the Lion. Unfortunately, Emily's dental school rotation schedule kept her in the "middle-of-nowhere Wisconsin" and regretfully unable to attend (so Chris took his roommate instead). Chris did not lose hope and quickly came up with another date proposal to which Emily joyfully accepted. To make it up to him, almost exactly one year later she surprised him with concert tickets ticket to, of course, Judah and the Lion.

All summer long, Emily had been dropping some not-so-very inconspicuous hints of wanting to watch the sunrise some lazy Tuesday morning. As a school psychologist, Chris works the school year calendar, and Emily's schedule at the dental office gives her Tuesdays off - so Tuesdays quickly became their favorite day of the week. It was the last Tuesday of the summer and Chris suggested they start the day as early as possible. Waking up before 5:00am, Chris showed up with a blanket and a couple mugs full of hot coffee. They went down to Lakeshore State Park on the Milwaukee shoreline, laid down their blanket, and snuggled up close waiting for daylight to break. Just as a sliver of light popped up over the horizon, a heavy fog set in across the sky blocking any colorful display from their view. In a brief panic, Chris contemplated the option to hold off on his surprise for another day, but decided that he just couldn't wait any longer. He brought out a small book, handed it to Emily and pulled her in close. She opened it to find a handwritten letter inside a photo album. She read his letter aloud, recalling many of their most favorite memories they had shared that correlated to the photos printed in the album. As she neared the end of the album, she read the final line of the letter, "...but I am most excited to share with you a new favorite memory." Turning the last page, she felt her heart drop into her stomach when she saw the photo of a beautiful diamond ring and realized what this meant. Turning to look at Chris, he was down on one knee with the ring in hand. She was so clouded with excitement that Chris had to later recall for her the specific words he had said and assure her that she had in fact said "yes!" She had been so quick to tackle him with kisses and hugs and dancing that he had to stop her just to let him put the ring on her finger. Not long after, the clouds broke, the fog lifted, and they finally enjoyed their morning sunrise, now engaged to be married!

Whether it's darts, pool, volleyball, rec league softball, or fantasy football, Chris and Emily try not to let their competitive sides get between them. Though Chris may not be enough of a softy to let Emily beat him at ANYTHING, he is a perfect gentleman planning fun dates around town to Milwaukee's best small plates spots in Bayview and the Third Ward, bike-ride picnics to Atwater Beach, hikes through Lake Park, concerts at Turner Hall, or just a casual stroll down to Colectivo on the Lake with a good book. They love to try out new home-cooked recipes on each other and joke that they should "add it to the menu!" of their hypothetical family restaurant. They've found that they naturally fit into one another's every day lives with friends, roommates, and family, and can't wait for the beginning of the rest of their lives together.