Wilson and Chris met when they were both graduate students at Stanford University; Wilson in Chemistry and Chris in Economics. They met on Bumble. For Wilson, he knew Chris was a promising candidate immediately. (They were both from Chicagoland--- how convenient was that? So much money saved on travel!) For Chris, Wilson was just another swipe right--- until he wasn't. The first date went on for hours at an Italian restaurant and walking around campus until Wilson abruptly cut the date short. Chris thought maybe Wilson didn’t enjoy the date as much as he thought he did. Wilson just wanted to go to sleep, something Chris would soon get used to.

From there, Chris and Wilson quickly became part of each other’s daily routines. They enjoyed the diversity of food option the Bay Area offered by going out to eat way too much (Chris was thrilled Wilson was as adventurous as he was). They met up in between classes and experiments for lunch or just a short walk. They met each other’s families (a big step for the intensely private Wilson). They even travelled cross-country by car from California to Chicago in the first week of the pandemic shutdown (with only a couple fights along the way).

As the honeymoon period faded away, a deeper connection grew. Chris got annoyed by Wilson’s nail biting. Wilson had to put up with every Sunday being taken up by Bears football and an extra-loud Chris. But none of that mattered. Chris and Wilson knew for sure they loved each other.

Chris and Wilson were both drawn to the world of policy, so it was unsurprising that both found jobs in D.C. after grad school (again, how convenient is that!). They moved to the District and then to Northern Virginia. And that’s when the best thing happened. They adopted the sweetest dog in the world, Toffee. They are both obsessed.

Chris and Wilson didn’t rush things, but they knew they would marry each other. By 2023, they had decided to get engaged, but who should propose? Well, Chris loves surprises, so he told Wilson he had to do the proposal. Wilson invented out of thin air the idea that Chris had given him a deadline of the end of the year. It wasn’t true, but Wilson decided to stick to it anyway. He bought a ring (green, obviously), and in the last week of December he proposed in the courtyard of 4th Presbyterian Church--- the site of the wedding ceremony you will all be attending. Chris said “yes” (after first saying “Oh. You’re doing this now?” He really was surprised, so it was a success!).

Now we want you all to join us in celebrating their love and to the beginning of their married life. Plus, a really good party.