We're Getting Married!

They met on a chilly Friday night in November. John asked Maddie to meet at the Grand Parlor Speakeasy, a fancy cocktail bar in Bucktown at the time. Despite Maddie not typically scheduling dates on a Friday night, she agreed! By the end of their time there, Maddie insisted on paying for her share of the drinks, but John refused, suggesting she could pick up the tab at the next bar across the street. Little to John’s knowledge Maddie didn’t quite like him after that first bar, but by the end of the second stop they agreed to a second date! The following week they met for dinner at Estrella Negra in Logan Square. They didn’t know at the time it would become one of their favorite restaurants! Later in the week, John invited Maddie to go see one of his favorite cover bands, Rod Tuff Curls and the Bench Press at Joe’s on Weed. They danced and sang all night, enjoying renditions of ABBA, Queen, Mariah Carey, The Temptations, Elton John, and more! In the time leading up to the pandemic lockdowns, they spent time getting to know each other by chaperoning school dances, going to holiday parties, New Years Eve celebrations, making homemade pasta, and generally falling in love. Throughout their quarantine months, they discovered their mutual admiration for dumb dating shows. They would cook together, eat dinner, and discuss all the opinions they had on the silly things the daters on the screen did. Once they were able to get out and explore the world again, they loved sharing activities and experiences with each other, like going to concerts, visiting the Chicago Botanic Gardens, and spending summer days boating on the Fox River. They’ve travelled together all over, too. Notably, they have visited Colorado, Florida, and Hawaii together. It was on a trip to wine country where John (finally!) proposed to Maddie at Goat Rock State Park along the Pacific coast. They spent the immediate days afterwards joyfully spreading the news and enjoying all the wine they could get their hands on! They’ve spent their time since enjoying life in the suburbs as new homeowners and meticulously planning the wedding. It’s almost here, and they can’t wait to celebrate!