It all started the summer before Emily left for college. She and her best friend Allison Martin (bridesmaid) were throwing a farewell party when two unexpected guests—Tyler Collins (groomsman) and Nate—decided to crash it. That night, Emily and Nate ended up talking for hours. By the end of it, Nate had promised to take her to dinner. The next day, Emily called her sister and said, "You'll never believe who I met last night & offered to take me out to dinner... Nate King!" Well… he never called. Fast forward seven years. Emily was living in Chicago, and Nate—unbeknownst to her—had recently moved there for a travel nurse contract. Although they unknowingly lived in the same city, fate wasn’t quite ready for them yet. It wasn’t until a trip back home that Emily hinted to Jordan King (bridesmaid) and Justin Goldinger (groomsman) to “set her up” with Nate King. And this time? He finally texted. They reunited during a Steelers game at the local bar, the Upper Deck. That Monday, Emily flew back to Chicago… but just a few weeks later, she moved back to Pittsburgh to give this rekindled spark a real chance. And the rest, as they say, is history. Three years later, the pressure was on. Emily knew she wanted to get engaged, and little did she know, Nate had already bought the ring—and hidden it in their nightstand for nearly a year! In true Emily fashion, she couldn’t wait. Despite the elaborate proposal plans Nate had in mind, he ended up popping the question in their kitchen at their first house together. She said yes, and immediately went into planning mode. But somewhere along the way, they realized they didn’t need a big, fancy wedding to know they wanted to spend their lives together. They just wanted a celebration with great food, good music, and all the people they love most. So… surprise! On September 20, 2024, Emily and Nate secretly tied the knot at the courthouse and celebrated with their immediate families. Now, one year later, they can’t wait to celebrate their first year of marriage with everyone—complete with a quick ceremony and a big party to follow. Let’s celebrate love, laughter, and this beautiful journey they’ve been on together. See you soon!