Aug | 08 | 2026

It was a warm Thursday night in August 2019 when fate (and a little good timing) brought us together at Purdue. After a brief introduction at the legendary Neon Cactus piano bar, we instantly clicked. Julia was especially impressed by Thomas’ dance moves and he was drawn to her full-of-life energy. Our friendship quickly grew into something more as we spent our senior year together. After graduation, we spent two years long-distance between New York City and Indianapolis. We survived with many FaceTimes, airport reunions, and one very detailed shared Google Calendar. Eventually, we decided to meet in the middle and make Chicago our home. It is where we built our routines, found our favorite Lincoln Park happy hour spots, and began dreaming about a future together. Recently, we each started MBA programs which has made life even busier, but also more meaningful to build side by side. In May 2025, for Julia’s birthday, Thomas planned a “totally casual and not suspicious at all” trip back to New York. After a day of revisiting some of our favorite early date spots, Thomas proposed! The moment was perfect and Julia said yes. Almost exactly seven years from that fateful night we met, we're getting married! We can’t wait to start this next chapter together, full of love and adventure, surrounded by the people we love most. See you in August!