How We Met:

Our story began in 2015 at Illinois State University, where we were both in marching band together. We both knew of each other from marching drum corps during the summer, as the DCI community is relatively small. When Chuck transferred to ISU that year, Ariel made the first move and messaged Chuck on a dating app.

Our First Date:

We consider our first date to be the first night that we hung out at ISU. That night, we walked around campus and talked literally all night until the sun came up the next morning. From that moment on, we knew there was something special there.

Through Thick & Thin:

Navigating our relationship wasn’t always easy—we worked through several long-distance challenges. In 2016 & 2017, we marched different drum corps that did not tour together often. For those summers, we went two months straight without seeing each other. When our corps finally had a show together, we only had about 5-10 minutes to see each other. It was heartbreaking, but it also showed us how strong love can be. In 2019, Chuck decided to continue his studies at ISU for grad school. During this time, Ariel was completing her music therapy internship and worked in Indiana for two years. Long distance was no stranger to us. In 2021, Chuck graduated with his master’s degree, and then Ariel decided it was her turn to go to grad school and complete her master’s at ISU.

The Proposal:

After years of laughter and love, Chuck popped the question on a beautiful fall day in mid-September 2023. For our 8th anniversary as a couple, we went hiking at The Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois, a place we always wanted to visit. After hiking, we found a quiet place to sit on a rocky cliff, and then Chuck was down on one knee, grasping a diamond ring for dear life. It was the perfect intimate proposal.

Our Future:

As we count down the days to our wedding, we are filled with gratitude for the journey that has brought us here. We can’t wait to celebrate our love with you, and start the next chapter of our lives together. Thank you for being a part of our story—we couldn’t imagine this day without you!

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception