Most people probably think that we met on the dating app, Hinge (very millennial of us - I know). While that is true, there's actually more to the story... Before Jordan and I ever met, we went to the same gym (shoutout FFC Old Town). I had definitely seen Jordan around at the gym, who could miss that tall, dark, and handsome guy?! One of the first things I said to Jordan when he messaged me on Hinge was something like, "You look a lot like this guy who goes to my gym..." Meanwhile, Jordan was (trying) to play it cool and not acknowledge the fact that he recognized me as well. Fast forward to a couple months later when we were newly 'official bf/gf' and at his Aunt and Uncle's house for brunch with his whole family. Come to find out that Jordan had a big crush on me all along, and his family knew about me before we had ever even actually met! Jordan was really embarrassed that his family spilled the beans, but I thought it was SO cute and flattering ;) And thank you to whoever convinced him NOT to use a cheesy pick up line on me at the gym! Looking back on our first few dates, we can both pinpoint the one when we both knew there was something really special here. It was our 4th date at Etta, when Jordan decided to finally plan a date spot off of Wells Street.. We were having such a fun time and great conversation that we literally didn't eat any of our food and it got freezing cold. And that's saying a lot since we both eat A LOT. We continued to learn more and more about each other, how much we had in common, and how our differences seemed to balance each other out so perfectly. Oh, and Kaiser finally decided to let another man into my life ;)

One of our favorite activities in Chicago is riding bikes on the lakeshore path. Taylor’s favorite spot in the city is the large grassy area on Fullerton Beach with the incredible skyline view. Taylor always gets so giddy on the first nice day of the year when we've made it through winter – and more importantly when we get to ride bikes again. I knew this was where the proposal had to happen. With much help from our families and one of Taylor's best friends (and bridesmaid), Emily, we came up with the plan: The first nice spring day, the three of us are going to go for a bike ride and to get brunch at Ann Sather. The plan was to meet her at Fullerton Beach. BUT the part of the plan Taylor wasn't aware of: Emily wasn’t going to be there – the proposal photographer will be there instead! The day was here. It was going to be perfect - I had the ring in a ring box wrapped in a long sleeve shirt in my backpack. My move was purposely wearing a short sleeve shirt so I had a reason to reach into my bag to grab my “long sleeve shirt”, which was actually going to be the ring box. Genius. We approach Fullerton Beach on our bikes. The grassy area is on our right, but the area that Taylor logically thinks we would meet Emily is on the left. “Pull over to the right!” I say. “Why would we do that? My friend is going to be on the left!” Taylor snaps. I tried again, "just go to the right!” Taylor looks at me like I'm crazy. I veer right and she follows. We get off our bikes; photographer nowhere to be found. I send a couple frantic texts. Crickets. Screw it. I mutter “it’s cold, I’m getting my long sleeve”. I grab the ring box and, of course, forget how to use my hands. The ring box falls on the ground! Before Taylor notices, I am already on one knee picking up the box, pivot in front of her, and pop the question to an astounded Taylor who responds: “...YES, buttt we still have our bike helmets on…" Guess I forgot that little detail :)