Four years ago, Carly and Peter went on the longest [and best] first date ever on a cold Friday in January. The date started with sushi at Nippon Tei, continued with several cocktail hot spots in Central West End, and ended with plans for a second date the very next day. Peter and Carly felt an immediate connection and were excited to get to know each other better. Unfortunately, Peter left for military training in Oklahoma later that weekend. Yet, they continued talking daily for the month he was gone (Peter even sent Carly a handwritten letter). Once Peter returned to St. Louis and Carly, dinner and date plans were quickly put on hold as the COVID pandemic hit, but this didn’t stop Peter and Carly from growing their relationship over carry-out dinners, weekly Zoom trivia nights with friends, long weekend getaways, and many walks with Layla.

On the other side of the pandemic were holidays spent with family, vacations with friends, and, more recently, purchasing their first house! Peter proposed to Carly during a beautiful Marco Island beach sunset on March 7th, 2023. What has been a special place for the Schlupp and Erickson families for several decades is now a special place for Carly and Peter, too. We cannot wait to celebrate with everyone in Marco on Friday, May 10th, 2024!