Our Chicago Proposal | Engagement Photos

 It's official! WE'RE ENGAGED and I am filled with so much joy!

I just want to thank everyone for the sweet words and congratulations! I feel so blessed to have such thoughtful and caring people in our lives. We are definitely feeling the love 🥰 We just got our photos back from the photographer so I thought this is the perfect time to share all the details with you!

Rob and I had been dating for 7 years, we both attended Northern Illinois University and met our spring semester freshman year. We met at a mutual friend's apartment and were each others beer pong partners that first night LOL. We've experienced SO much since that day, we often have to remind ourselves that we started dating in college! Shortly after graduating, we both started working full-time in the Chicago burbs. After a year in the "real world", we moved into our first place together! Within a few months of moving in together, Rob received an opportunity to move to Germany to work on an IT project with his company. He came home, sat me down and asked me to move to Germany with him! Long story short, we lived in Germany for a year and a half and traveled to 11 different countries. We had the time of our lives!

Rob and I have talked about getting married for years! He has always said, "Trust me. It's going to happen soon," but I never really knew when "IT" would be. He took me to get my ring sized when we moved to Germany so I knew it was coming soon-ish. After moving home to the U.S. in April because of the pandemic, I figured it wouldn't happen anytime soon. We were quarantined and trying to get a grasp on how we just moved across the world within a matter of days. 

THE PROPOSAL

Since moving back to the Chicago area, we have both been really excited to be able to go into the city more often and explore. We lived in a bigger city in Germany and really appreciated the fast paced lifestyle. So, we said the next free weekend we had, we were going to do a date night downtown. Well, on 08.08.2020, I made us a reservation for City Winery on the Chicago Riverwalk. We knew we'd be having drinks so we booked a hotel instead of driving 45 minutes home. Since I made the reservation, I didn't really think anything crazy of our stay-cation. Little did I know, he had some big plans up his sleeve.

We got into the city around 3pm, checked into our gorgeous hotel at the Virgin Hotel Chicago and headed to drinks and appetizers at City Winery. We had the perfect little spot, on the most beautiful summer day. After about 2 hours, Rob suggested we leave and go for a little walk along the river before heading back to our hotel to get ready for dinner at 830. After about 5 minutes into our walk, Rob turned to me and asked for my mask (HAHA the weirdest time in the world, "Can I have your mask?"). I was thrown off for a split second, then he stuck it in his pocket and smiled. I knew in that moment IT what was happening. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!! AHHH! 🥰

As soon as he got down on one knee, a photographer ran up and began snapping away. I couldn't believe how much thought and effort he had put into this special day. We spent the next hour taking photos in the heart of downtown Chicago. We were (and still) on cloud nine. I vividly remember Rob yelling toeveryone we passed, "She said yes!" 🙊 HAHA! 

After the engagement shoot, we got ready and went out to dinner at Nico Osteria in Gold Coast. We enjoyed champagne and FaceTimed our families. The next morning felt like Christmas morning. I was wide awake at 6 am, staring at my ring. We walked to coffee at Petit Margeaux and enjoyed croissants as if we were back in Europe. Afterwards we went kayaking on the river, which was so much fun. We were laughing the entire time because we obviously did not pack the right clothes (I had no idea we'd be doing this) and ended up getting soaked. 😂 On Sunday, Rob made us reservations at Maple & Ash to celebrate our engagement. This was one of the best dining experiences we have ever had! The service was incredible and the food was 11/10. Rob coordinated with them so they knew we were celebrating and made us a custom menu saying congratulations. If you're downtown Chicago and want a FaNcY outing, definitely make reservations ahead of time.

The best day of my life. I CAN'T WAIT TO MARRY MY BEST FRIEND!

OUTFIT DETAILS- TOP: HERE | SHORTS: HERE | HEELS: HERE