The story starts the day after a different wedding! Following Emily's sister, Nicole, tying the knot - Ed (Derek's 'Top Gun' and the couple's mutual friend) decided to "put in a good word" for his boy. Bewildered but intrigued, Emily found herself liking all the farm boy's photos over the next few weeks, and shortly after the two decided to give it a go...

Derek invited Emily to a picnic date at the 41st Annual Chicago Jazz Fest complete with homemade garden salsa, honey, fancy cheese, caviar and his wild fermented wine (of course)! The two dine at Cafe Marie Jeanne (RIP) in Humboldt Park, but the night ends with just a long (confusing) hug. Derek picks things back up with his ex and Emily continues searching for a soulmate.

Emily is lured to the farm to meet these adorable ducklings and the spark is reignited. They spend the afternoon planting sunflowers and gazing dreamily at one another in the sunshine.

Finally landed a second date after 317 days! Derek picked Emily up on his scooter and the two have a picnic at one of their favorite places in Chicago known as "The Spot" in Belmont Harbor. Emily kisses Derek (breaking out of the hug zone).

The dynamic duo quickly become inseparable and are regularly seen scooting around Chicago, swimming in the lake, and eating al fresco until the weather grows cold.

Derek surprises Emily by taking her to Etta for a fancy meal - and just like that - WE ARE IN LOVE!

The pair celebrated a very COVID Halloween with a party of three, and possibly their best couples costume to date, as Queen Frostine and Lord Licorice from Candyland.

They stay up late cooking an 8 course feast on NYE and walk to their favorite beach down the street from Derek's Rogers Park apartment.

Emily moves to St Louis with her sister Melissa. Derek begins regularly making the drive down to visit (a journey he quickly grows tired of despite eating some of the finest meals the city has to offer).

Emily runs the Honolulu marathon and they enjoy a long vacation in Hawaii (with our favorite third wheel, Melissa).

Emily decides to move back from St Louis, with her turtle and cat in tow, and starts packing her boxes. She crams into Derek's tiny two bedroom apartment near the lake.

They spend the next year traveling, hiking, camping, and absorbing as much art and food as humanly possible while also diving deep into the joys of growing together on the farm. They close the year with an epic road trip to Miami for Art Basel and the Florida Keys.

The farm goes legit and celebrates our first CSA season selling produce and flowers. The two are beyond busy assembling bouquets, harvesting veggies, and making deliveries all over Chicagoland.

They manage to squeeze in a trip to the DC area at the end of farm season to take in plenty of art and food.

Around Emily's birthday, she takes Derek ring shopping for the second year in a row so she can 'visit' the Chicago jewelry shops she worked at. This time he takes the hint to heart.

The pair squeezes in one last vacation to the Bay Area before farming season ramps up so Derek can shred the slopes with Best Man, Ian.

These two crazy kids went and bought a house! Goodbye Rogers Park, Hello Spring Grove.

Derek takes Emily to the Chicago Botanic Garden where he finally pops the big question and they toast the occasion with a nice bottle of champagne.

We can't wait to celebrate with all of you!