La Grange Country Club

The Boone- Wasz Wedding Ceremony

Ceremony

Cocktail Reception

Wedding Reception and Dinner

Summer

Our Wedding

We first met at a country bar in Chicago at 1:00am after celebrating the Cubs opening day with friends. We danced into the wee hours of the morning, but the next day we were both a bit foggy. We decided on an official first date two weeks later. While we were both a bit skeptical, we again found ourselves dancing late into the night. It was those first two events that can only be described as a magical relationship. We have often thought that our love cannot grow any more for each other, yet seemingly every day we become closer, and our love grows to no end.&nbsp;As our relationship has grown, Lizz has learned to embrace my crazy sports passions - golf and paddle tennis - and she has become quite the player at both! I have embraced her love of running and exercise. While I don't do the crazy 26.2s or 13.1s, I am her chief cheerleader and massage therapist. We love to travel, and have already experienced some of the most beautiful parts of the world together including Cancun, Carmel, Lake Louise, Nashville, Napa, Miami, Jamaica, Wales and most recently her native country of Kenya. We have embarked on a journey to each of the 50 states as Lizz is running a 13.1 in each. 11 down, 39 to go!&nbsp;As Lizz and I have grown closer, I have come to love her kiddos as she has grown to love mine. We our looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together and continuing to embrace our two generations of kiddos together!

LIZZYGOTWASZED

Our Story

Photos

Mercy is the Best friend of the bride and one of the brides chosen sister who is also an avid sports girl. She is Part of Lizz's second family from Iowa as the two of them arrived to Iowa City from their native Kenya around the same time over 25 years ago. Lizz remembers very vividly going to Cedar Rapids airport in Iowa with a mutual friend to pick Mercy up from the airport when she landed from Kenya and what Lizz got from that encounter was a BEST FRIEND for life. Mercy has always been so supportive of Lizz, is very non judgemental, has always had Lizz's back at all costs and is a constant in Lizz's life- literally. Mercy often says to Lizz, " BIATCH, Im here to stay" and Lizz always responds, " you are stuck with me now and forever my nursing home buddy" and they both chuckle to that.  Mercy and Lizz have seen each other through tough times and through happy times. Their hardships in Iowa got them closer together. Mercy is an extraordinary aunt to Lizz's 3 children and a marvelous godmother to Lizz's oldest daughter Tiffani. Lizz always says that she and Mercy are each others kinda crazy. Mercy is affectionately called "Mama Bear" the way she takes care of everyone. Mercy is Lizz's person who knows where all the bodies are buried and where all her skeletons sleep...LOL

Mercy Kioko

Arise (pronounced "Alice") is also Part of the Bride's second family from Iowa who has become a sister to Lizz. Arise is Rwandese and lives in Indy but that never stops these 2 from spending quality time together. Arise and Lizz met in Iowa over 20 years ago through some mutual friends. Over the past 15 years, Arise and Lizz's relationship grew stronger through their daughters (Tiffani and Jovi) who are 2 years apart and are really good friends. Arise, Lizz and their 2 daughters who despite the distance between Indy and Chicago have grown up together like sisters. Lizz calls Arise her travel buddy as the 2 of them will make plans to go somewhere with their daughters on a whim. A few years ago, the 4 of them spent a few weeks in Arise's native country of Rwanda and had a time of their lives. Arise and Lizz will often bring their 2 daughters to their medical conferences just because. Despite the fact that Arise and Lizz grew up in different countries, their personalities are very similar. Arise is a great mom, she is spontaneous, fun, funny and an all around sweet person. There is never a dull moment with Arise. Arise is a great friend and a chosen sister to Lizz. She is also an amazing aunt to Lizz's Kiddos.

Arise Uwiziyemana

Fannie is one of the Bride's more recent friends who has become a sister to her. Fannie is Liberia- Ghanian and is part of Lizz's ever growing African family. Fannie and Lizz met at the library when their boys were toddlers who are now 11 and 9. They both realized that they were African during that encounter and exchanged numbers but because of how busy both their schedules were, they were not able to pursue that friendship then. God had other plans. A few years ago, Fannie and Lizz  re-met at a local restaurant in Riverside and became very fast friends. Fannie and Lizz live a few minutes from each other and spend a lot of time together. Fannie is kind, supportive, sweet, an amazing mother and is a wonderful  aunt to Lizz's kiddos. Fannie has become a great addition to Lizz's extended family.

Fannie Kittoe

Christine (AKA Q) and Lizz met over 15 years ago at an annual  African BBQ on Montrose Harbor. Just like Lizz, Q is also Kenyan with a very similar story and  similar upbringing as Lizz. After their first encounter, Q and Lizz became fast friends and have become sisters over the years. The day after Q and Lizz met at the BBQ, they decided to go to a block party in the city. This helped cement their friendship. Since then they have maintained a  sisterhood. They argue like sisters but still have great love for each other amd an amazing bond. Q and Lizz's Mom's have become great friends as a result of this friendship. Q is kind, generous, protective, fun, funny,  loving and an amazing aunt to Lizz's 3 children. She is also the godmother of Lizz's youngest daughter Tessa. Q and Lizz have stood by each other during tough times. Q has been there since the night Mike and Lizz met at that Country bar in the city on Cubs opening day and is therefore a big part of their love story. Q is Lizz's problem child..LOL, when they are planning an evening be it a weeknight or a weekend, they are known for saying, " we are only going out for a quick drink, say 2-3 hrs" but their 3 hrs/quick drink always turn into VERY many hours. That's one of Lizz's friends who has major FOMO like Lizz.

Christine (Q) Kathure

Tiffani is Lizz's oldest baby girl who is a sophomore at WMU. Lizz refers to her as " My Sweetpea". She and Lizz have been through so much in life together.  Tiffani is Lizz's first ever real love. The one who grew up with her, has experienced her mistakes, and had to endure the unhealed version of her mother.  Lizz says that Tiffani saved her and made her a better version of herself. Tiffani and Lizz rode out storms together. Lizz would not have been able to make it through those storms if it was not for Tiffani. Tiffani helped Lizz mature and God may have known how much Lizz needed her. Tiffani and Lizz are very close, and they both love to travel. Tiffani has a great heart, is funny, kind, loving, great with her 2 siblings, smart and an all-around amazing human being. Tiffani has a great bond with all of Lizz's closest friends and often confides in them as needed as they have been a big part of Tiffani's life over the years. Tiffani is one in a million and the best daughter ever.

Tiffani Boone

Phil and Mike have known each other since kindergarten at St. John of the Cross. Phil still has videos from his first-grade birthday party in which Mike gave him a bow and arrow set. Years later, Mike introduced Phil to his sister Karen, and they have now been married for 36 years. Phil and Karen have 3 amazing children which overlap with Mike's kiddos and they are all best of friends to this day. Phil shares Mike's passion for golf, and they have logged thousands of holes of golf together. Their golfing highlights include two victories in the prestigious LGCC Legends Invitational tournament!

Phil Hrack

Mike's first born, who had the unenviable task of leading the way for his younger brothers. He has truly paved a great path for them! He is an avid sports fan, athlete, Sparty alum (still bleeds green and white), and a person who never seems to lose touch with friends - whether from elementary school, high school, University or post graduate life. Mary Grady is the love of his life, and together they have built a great relationship! Blake continues to be a true Chicago sports fan and has lived in the city ever since his graduation from Michigan State.

Blake Wasz

Connor is Mike's second born son. He has been an over-achiever his whole life. While trying to keep up with his older brother, he participated in several different sports, and that carried over to playing several sports in High school. Connor recently received his MBA from Wharton, and has just begun the next chapter of his professional career in LA. Connor loves to travel and snowboard, and has already been to 6 of the 7 continents. 

Connor Wasz

Griffin is the baby of the family, and still embraces that role, although he loves being the older brother to Lizz's kiddos. Griff did not share his brother's passion for team sports, but found his niche with golf. While in High School, his summers were spent on the golf course - both caddying, practicing and playing. He was there with Mike for his first hole in one. Although only 15 at the time, he served as designated driver that night after they celebrated at the York Tavern. Griff wound up playing golf at Illinois Wesleyan University, and wound up being part of their National Championship team his Sophomore year. Griff has replaced his Uncle Phil as Mike's partner in the LGCC Legends Invitational event. Griff recently moved from LA to Manhattan, and is enjoying his time in the Big Apple.

Griffin Wasz

Lizz’s one and only brother and Irish twin as they are less than a year apart. Kamash is the neutral one in the Muchunu family. We sometimes refer to him as Switzerland because he has a way of avoiding all conflict and has a way of calming down an existing conflict. Kamash is a great son and brother, an extraordinary father to his 2 girls, an amazing hubby to his beautiful wife Julia and a great uncle to Lizz’s kids. He is funny, easygoing, loving, charismatic, easy to talk to, knowledgeable, adaptable, charming, and witty. Strangely, he prefers to drink his beer warm (LOL). He is in the final stages of building a beautiful new home for his family just outside of Nairobi – much of the work he has done himself. He and his family have welcomed Mike into the Muchunu family, and together with Lizz and her kiddos were all able to spend the most recent Christmas holiday together in Kenya, with Kamau, his wife Julia and their two kiddos – Shishi and Bobo. 

Paxson Kamau AKA Kamash

Timothy AKA Timo is Lizz's 12-year-old son and is Lizz's favorite guy or " my main man" as she calls him.  Lizz calls Timo " My Baby Boy" and will remind Timo that he will always be her baby boy. Timo is a great kid with an amazing personality and an infectious smile. Timo is very athletic and plays multiple sports throughout the year.  His favorite sport is football and basketball. Timo loves to keep himself busy, is a great big brother but loves to mess with his little sister Tessa just to get a reaction. Timo loves to be out with his friends either playing outside or riding his bike while trash talking w/his buds. Timo has recently turned 12 and is growing like a weed – now taller than his Momma. Timo is a passionate, hardworking young man and turning into a very solid athlete – basketball, football, baseball, golf and diving are among his passions.  He is always on the go and looking for ways to make money. He plans to begin caddying next season and is learning the game of golf. He is a great brother to his two sisters, Tiffani and Tessa. 

Timo Matson

Tessa is Lizz's youngest daughter. Baby Tessa is 8 years old, and Lizz calls her " My Sugar Boo". Tessa might be Lizz's favorite child...LOL. At least Tessa thinks so.  Tessa is smart, adorable, sweet, witty, funny, kind, has a great smile, loves to make tik toks and dance, loves to chat and can hold a conversation with anyone despite their age. Tessa loves to hang with her big brothers 12-year-old friends and tends to put them all in their place. It is actually comical listening to some of those interactions. Tessa has benefitted from hanging with her older siblings and her big brother's friends as she has matured beyond her years. Tessa will always be our "Baby Tessa".

Tessa Matson

Wedding Party

Q + A

The Chicago Marriott Oak Brook Hotel is located a short drive from the wedding venue and directly across the street from the very famous Oak Brook Shopping Mall, one of the first outdoor malls in America. There is plenty of shopping, restaurants, bars and a great night life to be enjoyed. PS- For anyone who would like an extended stay at the hotel, please let us know in advance and we can request the same rate for the days outside our room block.

Chicago Marriott Oak Brook

Hotel and Accommodations

Things to doIf you’re staying at the Oak Brook Marriott Hotel, you are a short walk away from the Oak Brook Mall, one of the first outdoor malls in America. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, salons, bars and nightclubs. You are a short drive away from the Brookfield Zoo, Drury Lane Theater and a very nice public golf course – Oak Brook Golf Club.

Elizabeth & Michael

Elizabeth & Michael

E&M

The Boone- Wasz Wedding Ceremony

4:00 PM–5:00 PM

Ceremony

Cocktail Reception

Wedding Reception and Dinner