We’re getting married!

Four years ago, on September 19th, 2022, Cole and Alissa had their first date in Champaign Illinois. Cole sat in a corner booth at the local Mexican restaurant, Casa Del Mar sipping a margarita when Alissa joined him. They were both nervous but the conversation flowed easily. On the second date, Cole talked up his mini golf game and athletic skills. Of course, Alissa went on to beat him despite his three hole in ones on the course that night. They *slowly* (as Cole emphasizes), started meeting each others friends and family, despite Alissa's attempts to slow things down. Alissa's parents were so excited to meet him they drove two and a half hours to meet Cole for dinner at Seven Saints in downtown Champaign. It was a special dinner as Alissa had never brought another boy home before. Cole says Alissa's Dad was quiet and didn't talk much, which might have been because they both knew if they were meeting each other, Cole was clearly special. Cole had been living on the family farm when they met. As Alissa described it to her friends, it was something she never saw coming for her but loved it more because of how it surprised her. The slow mornings, hearing nothing but the breeze, seeing the barn cats and Cole's cows, waking up to the smell of fresh coffee that filled the whole farm house are things she will never forget. Alissa met Cole's mom in front of the family farm in her pajamas one night which she remembers describing herself as "looking homeless". Of course, Cole said she looked beautiful and made a great first impression. They spent the next few months falling in love and spending time on Cole’s family farm. Alissa loves and cherishes the memories of waking up to fresh coffee and looking out the window to watch Cole on the tractor bringing hay to the cows. Who knew the family farm would be home to some of their firsts filled with many warm and cozy memories. They are excited to incorporate the family farm on their special day and hope you all will be able to join them for "welcome drinks" the night before their wedding on The Swearingen Farm. Shortly into their relationship, Cole decided he wanted to make a career switch and started applying to jobs in Chicago. He really didn’t even mention it to Alissa as she was enjoying her job as a Speech Language Pathologist at Carle Hospital in Urbana Illinois. Cole always said he wanted to move to a bigger city and knew the Chicago suburbs were home to Alissa. In March 2023 Cole found an apartment and moved up to Chicago with his dog Alma. Alissa continued to work at Carle and they did long distance for a few months until Alissa knew it was time to move back home. Cole passed his CFP exam in July 2024 after months of hard work and dedication. After he passed his exam, Alissa and Cole moved into their first home together in Itasca Illinois. They love their little home, especially their long walks with Miss Alma girl and walks to the towns coffee shop. Although they moved to the Chicago suburbs, they try and make it back down to Champaign to visit Cole’s family at least once a month. Cole’s nephew Jay stole their hearts from the very beginning and will be their ring bearer for their wedding. Cole and Alissa are both excited to have their special day back in Champaign in a place that means so much to them and they can't wait to celebrate with you all.