Chicago will forever hold a huge piece of my heart. This city has given so much to me. The city where I met some of my closest friends, lessons were taught, endless experiences were made, where I found healing and my first career started. More importantly, Chicago is where I met my handsome baby and fell head over heels in love 🏙️✨

Kyle walked into my life at a very interesting and transitional time. We met at work. Actually, I thought he was mean at first and decided to keep my distance (lol). It wasn’t until a few months in that we started making small talk.

About a month later, my work friends and I went to a work party and Kyle was there. Kyle went out of his way to talk to me. I remember looking at him while he talked. I’ll never forget, he had barbecue on his cheeks and red wine stains in his teeth. I laughed at him and told him he missed a spot. I thought it was cute and innocent. From that moment we hit it off, we had fun dancing and decided to hang out one on one.

Fast forward a week later. Our first day hanging out was on my couch sipping white claws. We talked for hours about life and started learning each others scars that formed us into who we are today. The conversation was deep and unexplainably beautiful.

Kyle and I talked for hours getting to know each other. I was learning his secrets, scars and what has molded him into the man he is today. I instantly fell in love with him. I remember looking into his eyes and feeling like I’ve known his soul forever. It was as if we were old friends meeting back up after years of not seeing each other. Anything that was going on outside of that moment didnt matter. Any stress or worries I had disappeared. His presence was warm, comforting and truly inspiring.

I looked into his eyes and thought to myself, “I love this man” and in the same thought said to myself “you’re f’n crazy, there’s no way you can be in love with someone after one day of hanging out. Must be the claws”.

For obvious reasons, I kept those feelings to myself but couldn’t stop thinking about that night together. A few days later, my roommates and I threw a party at my first apartment in Chicago. Our apartment was crowded and I went to step outside. Kyle ended up coming with me. We decided to go for a walk to get some alone time together.

It didn’t seem like we were gone long at all, but it ended up being a good hour of wandering the city together in the middle of winter. We were enjoying each others company, the scenery and talking about life. Rightfully so, our friends started calling to check in on us. At that point, we took a short cut back through an alley and that’s where Kyle stopped me to tell me he was in love with me.

To paint a better picture for you; it was snowing, there was a street light shining down on us, and city sounds surrounding us. My back was up against a wall and Kyle was facing me. He put his hand above me on the wall to stop me and look into my eyes. I wasnt sure what he had to tell me but he seemed super nervous and kept stumbling over his words. Eventually he said “Alexis, I have to tell you this. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. I know this is going to sound crazy but I am so in love with you”. I started crying and said to him “I’m in love with you”. I don’t remember anything else from that night. I was completely lost in the moment. It felt like a love story out of a movie. At that very moment, I knew Kyle was the man I was going to grow old with, start a family and spend the rest of my life with.

Just like any relationship, we have had our fair share of ups and downs. We moved into things quick. There was even a moment we took a break from each other. During that time, I was still in love with Kyle but I truthfully didn’t expect to get back together. However, God had other plans for us. We worked on ourselves individually and eventually found our way back to each other spontaneously.

When we started talking again, it felt like the world was against us being together. But, that didn’t matter to us. We kept fighting and made a vow to keep God the center of our relationship and continue on. As a commitment to that, we were baptized together at a church that strengthened us individually and helped us find our way back to each other. Our love, relationship with each other, relationship with God and strength overall continued to grow every day.

About 6 months later, Kyle surprised me with a birthday trip to Hawaii. We spent a whole week exploring everything and everywhere together. On September 26th, 2022 we went on a sunset dinner cruise. Similar to the night we said we loved each other, we snuck away from everything to get a moment alone together. Everyone on the boat was occupied with the entertainment and Kyle found a spot on top of the boat that was hidden.

We were deep in the moment. The sun was setting, there was a calm breeze and sounds of the ocean splashing around us. Kyle told me he couldn’t wait any longer and got down on one knee to propose to me. The moment was strong and the words are a blur to me. Once I came to, I said yes without a thought. That will always be my favorite and the easiest yes I’ve ever said.

From the night we told one another we loved each other, to now… I didn’t think it was possible for that love to grow. Every day I fall deeper in love with this man and I know that will never stop.

Now, we moved across the country to a different state, bought a brand new home and 3 fur babies later… the story continues on...🌺🥰

Kyle Thomas Downs, you have my entire heart. You make me laugh like no one ever has, you are equally as passionate as I am, you love and support me in every dream unconditionally and never fail to show me how much I mean to you in everything. You are a once in a lifetime kind of man and I’m so deeply in love with you. I’m excited for what God has in store for us and I am so ready to call you my husband.

12.7.19 🏙️ I love you - Chicago, Illinois

9.26.22 🌺 Proposal- Waikiki, Hawaii

08.25.23💍 Elopment- Savannah, Georgia

11.16.23💍 Elopement Honey Moon- Milan, Italy

8.25.24 💍 Wedding- Charlevoix, Michigan

TBD 2025 💍 Wedding Honey Moon - Italy