This is our first picture together. Wes is photobombing a picture at Decibel Miami of Ohio - we didn't know this picture existed when we started dating but found it on Facebook. We were acquaintances at Miami and have many overlapping friends - we would occasionally run into each other at sorority/fraternity events. Abby often states she did occasionally catch Wes out the corner of her eye at the Rec center...when Wes was in much better shape (he says, Abby disagrees)!
Sparks were flying immediately when we 'officially met' Labor Day weekend in 2015 when many mutual friends were in town (Chicago). Abby's first reaction was that Wes was very kind, outgoing, and fun (and she loved his blue eyes). This picture is weeks after at Wes's 24th birthday when my friends were picking up on the connection (thanks Leeza for capturing!) who snapchatted a picture of us.
Our first New Year's Eve together - at midnight on the dot Wes told Abby he loved her and Abby returned the sentiment!
Wes quickly learned Abby's love language, words of affirmation, (not to mention pulling at my strings with dogs). One of Abby's favorite things is how throughout our relationship Wes has written Abby many thoughtful and loving letters. Abby in turn rights exceptional cards and always does little acts to brighten Wes's mood.
Throughout the early years we were blessed to be able to travel to many beautiful destinations because Abby worked for Hyatt and Wes had racked up airline points from consulting.
Wes quickly learned Abby's admiration for an itinerary (including rest time) and adventure which proved successful as we explored different areas of Puerto Rico on our first trip together. Pictured here is us ziplining at Toro Verde Adventure park, one of the largest zipline and adventure parks in the world. It was a day filled with many adventures and exciting excursions.
Falling more in love in Puerto Rico!
We have been there for each other through thick and thin. While we are generally blessed to be healthy, we've both gone through several surgeries together and it really bonded us even closer. It was scary for Abby when Wes went under for his hip reconstruction, but in a way Abby enjoyed taking care of him in the following week and Wes appreciated all her attention to detail and compassion while he was on the mend!
Our relationship has evolved so much from when we met in our early 20s in the best ways possible. We've both grown so much individually and together. It was important to both of us that we create a strong foundation for our future - and we are confident that is just what we've done.
Next to the engagement, the day we got Stazzi was one of the best days of our lives. We had discussed getting a puppy for a very long time and did lots of emailing and looking for the special pup. Little Stazzi was one of the highlights of the unfortunate Covid19 situation, but she has brought nothing but joy to our lives. We didn't know you could love a dog so much until we got our baby girl!
Here is our favorite spot on the river downtown Chicago, where we also got engaged. We'd walk / run here with Stazzi most mornings before work and just sit, reflect, and meditate. We made sure to look at the view and feel grateful for everything we had despite being in the middle of a pandemic in our tiny apartment. We got through COVID together and came out even stronger.
We loved Stazzi so much, we bought her a house in Glen Ellyn, IL!
We always wanted a sibling for Stazzi and we rescued Bruce through MobileMutts, the org Abby's mom volunteers at. They are the perfect match and complete our family! He is the best boy!
We talked about our futures together but Abby didn't know when Wes would pop the question (although she frequently pried for hints). Abby frequently said, "I don't need anything fancy, you could really do it on a walk and I'd be happy." He may have kept that in his subconscious. Here we are with our good friends, Emily and Nate, who tricked me into walking to Porter House to get drinks with friends since it had been awhile. Thanks for Emily convincing Abby out of wearing a crop top and jean shorts for the big day. As we were on the way Abby said "Guys! This is our spot, come over here - look at this mural!"
As Abby was turning around to demand Emily and Nate come over and look out at our favorite spot, they were timidly backing up and Abby was confused. All of a sudden, Abby turns back around, and Wes was down on his knee. All Abby could do was keep thinking "IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?!" while also trying to stay as present as possible and soak in the beautiful words Wes had prepared. Thanks to our great friends Emily and Nate for setting this up along with all our other wonderful friends who helped with setting up the celebration at Porter.
Abby says that sometimes she has trouble making decisions, but this was the easiest YES.
See 'gallery' for more pics of the celebration with a small group of family and friends and the pool party Abby had planned as a housewarming the Sunday after we got engaged! WE CAN'T WAIT TO CELEBRATE OUR MARRIAGE WITH YOU!