We're getting married!

We grew up in the same home town, New Lenox, IL, and were even in a few of the same classes throughout grade school which makes looking back at old yearbook photos extra special. Our friendship didn't really blossom until high school when our friend groups merged. We started dating during junior year of high school. Our first date was at Oberweiss, where we shared some ice cream and Tom tried to teach Leah how to play chess. The rest of high school was filled with hanging out with friends, going to football games, and school dances. Once senior year came to an end Tom went to study aviation at The University of North Dakota and Leah went to Marquette University for nursing. Long distance was a challenge but we took every opportunity to visit each other whenever possible. Once the four years of undergrad were up, Leah moved to North Dakota to join Tom while he finished his degree flight instructing at the University. During our two years together in North Dakota we had a lot of fun going to the local bars, playing beer league softball, having backyard bonfires, and eventually adopting our dog Frank! Leah worked her first nursing job at the local hospital and Tom finished his his flight training and got a job with Envoy Air. It was a fun and cold two years! Tom's new job sent us back home to Illinois where he is based out of O'Hare airport. After a year of apartment living, we were able to buy our house in Addison, IL. Living in our first house has been fun and educational, with lots of help from both sides of the family on house projects. It continues to be a great place to live and do fun things like making Ooni pizza on the back porch and having friends over to hangout. In November of 2024, we took a trip to Traverse City Michigan. After spending the afternoon getting lunch and touring a winery we went for a walk on the beach. This is where Tom got down on his knee and asked Leah to marry him. Big thanks to the random stranger who caught this on camera! Obviously this was a no-brainer question, and Leah said YES! Long story short, after ten years of growing up together as a couple we cannot wait for what is to come. Whatever the future holds we know we will have each other through it all. We are so excited to celebrate our love with the ones we love on our wedding day. See you there!