In the summer of 2015, Carah moved back to Chicago. On a midsummer shopping trip Carah and her mom decided to stop for cocktails. It was that afternoon that Carah and her mom ran into one of Thomas' best friends. Thomas' friend called him with an update that Carah was back in town. Thomas was instantly frustrated at his friend when he did not come through with one small detail… Carah’s number! Don’t worry, Thomas wasn’t defeated. After some 21st century navigating he was able to reach Carah and they went on a handful of dates... the rest was history!

While this is the story that they tell, Carah and Thomas have history that can be marked all the way back to 1992. Thomas often reminds Carah that he remembers her skipping down the hall in Kindergarten with her pigtails bopping from side to side. The two also reminisce and laugh about participating in a couple of the same activities in middle school and going on a few casual dates in high school. Carah and Thomas often say, there is a time and place for everything and this is our time and place!

For weeks Carah was looking forward to Spring Break. Not just because she was ready for a break, but her brother and his family had planned a trip to Chicago during that time. She was so excited to see her nephew that little else mattered that weekend! As a part of Thomas’ game plan, they were busy visiting all of their other friends and family. Thomas was coaching and Carah was home- feeling bored and like everyone was avoiding her!

When Thomas got home from coaching, he looked at Carah and knew something was wrong. To cheer her up, he took her out for dinner (because food always helps) and promised that the next day would be a "just us" day. For Thomas, things were falling right into place, his proposal plan was set, all he had to do was make it happen. The following day, as promised, Carah and Thomas set out on a day of adventure; little did Carah know that at the end of the day she would be engaged to the love of her life.

To finish their day of fun, Thomas took Carah ice skating. As they started to skate, Carah noticed that the rink was playing all of their favorite songs. Prior, Thomas had made a playlist and set it up with the main office. Carah probably should have realized that something was up, but she had no idea.

While they were skating, Thomas was insistent on learning how to stop (in hopes to pop the question mid-ice). Despite Carah’s best effort, he never quite got it.

When the song "LOVE" by Kendrick Lamar started playing Thomas took Carah’s hand and started saying all the lovely “pre-proposal” things. He took her to the side of the boards, where he tried his best to stop, then reached down and started rubbing his hamstring. Again, Carah probably should have realized that something was up, but nope, she still had no idea. Before any time had past, Thomas was down on one knee asking Carah to marry him.

Carah was in shock. She jumped up and down, cried, kissed Thomas and finally remembered she needed to answer! Her answer was, "YES, YES, YES!" When Carah and Thomas got off the ice she was excited that Thomas had coordinated both of their families to be at the rink to help celebrate their engagement!