It was Fall of 2013, Erin was on her phone, and wouldn't you know it, somewhere within a 2 mile radius, Chris was also on his phone. Erin swiped right, Chris swiped right, and then those three magical words flashed across their screens, "It's a Match!" On 10/10/13 at 10:49 a.m. Chris sent Erin what would be the first of many messages, "Hey Erin, how's it going? Looks like you're a runner. What race are you at in your profile pic?" At 2:12 p.m. Erin responded. They continued to chat for the next few days mostly about races, their recent trips to wine country, and preparing for the Chicago Marathon they had coming up just 3 days away. Chris, intrigued by Erin's witty banter, and maybe impressed by her sub 4:30 (eye roll) marathon time asked her to South Branch for a meet up.

Chris walked over to South Branch excited for a first date with a sexy triathlete who owns her own business and sounds like a lot of fun. When he saw her text that she was running late, he didn't sweat it. It was clear she was rushing to get out of work, and it means she must be excited too. He asked what her favorite drink was so it could be ready and waiting when she got there.

Erin arrived (not even that late) and the night was a success. Although, as Chris remembers it, he wasn't sure Erin had as good a time as he did, so he was pretty nervous to call her for a second date...

Clearly, the meet-up was a success because Chris called Erin the next day and asked her out on an official date. Erin was not only impressed that he called (over sending a text), but also that he already made a reservation at a mom & pop byob restaurant, which Erin had told him the day before was her favorite kind. Fast forward to that Sunday afternoon before the official first date, "Beep", message flashes across Erin's phone, "Hey Erin! I'm looking forward to dinner. I'm actually going to be coming from Lincoln Park, so if you don't mind riding a motorcycle, I can pick you up on my way." Erin, thinks, "A motorcycle? Was this guy just pretending to be a nerd at the bar? Should I cancel? Is this safe?" After texting a series of friends, and what they now joke to be the longest it has ever taken Erin to respond to one of Chris's texts, she decides to play it cool, "That sounds good. Gonna be a first timer." From the first date, came a second, and third, and fourth, Chris continued to plan more and more clever dates. For the next 3.5 years they would train and race together, travel the united states, eat their way through the West Loop, and sample every donut known to man. And then on December 31st, 2016 on a mountaintop at Kunde Winery, Chris popped the question! Erin said yes, and that brings us here to their wedding page! If you made it through this entire story congrats and welcome! Erin and Chris look forward to continuing their story and celebrating with all of you at their wedding.