In true 2018 millennial fashion, Fran and Will crossed paths through the dating app 'Hinge'. Fran's right swipe was solely influenced by the adorable pictures of Will's two dogs on his profile. They bonded over the fact that they were each other's only match that made them laugh over text. At the time, Will was completing his MBA in Aurora, IL, while Fran, based in the Boystown neighborhood of Chicago, was busy working for National Geographic. Despite living in different cities and joking about the impracticality of their match due to Fran's lack of a car and the distance between them, fate intervened, bringing their dating app radiuses together.

Despite Will showing up 4 hours late to their first date due to a pileup on the freeway, their first face-to-face encounter outside Fran's apartment marked the beginning of a beautiful journey. It wasn't just the charming basset hound-Rottweilier mixes, Spike and Opie, that captured Fran's heart; she also found herself falling for Will.

Over the course of the past six years, Fran and Will's love blossomed during long walks along the Lake Shore Path and city explorations. They weathered the challenges of the pandemic, working and studying side by side in their cozy 700 sqft apartment. Fran introduced Will to international travel, taking him to Thailand to experience its culture, food, and breathtaking scenery. In return, Will taught Fran the art of enjoying a road trip as a passenger princess. Their shared love for coffee and cooking delicious meals became a cornerstone of their relationship.

Embracing a suburban lifestyle became the next chapter in their story when they purchased their first home, a charming 103-year-old bungalow in Downers Grove. Gardening and home improvement projects became new adventures. When they tragically had to say goodbye to Spike, their hearts started to mend when they welcomed Lola, a playful basset hound-red lab mix, into their family.

Their journey reached a poignant milestone on October 1, 2022, amidst the lush trails of the Amsterdamse Bos in The Netherlands. On bended knee alongside a Dutch canal, Will asked Fran to spend the rest of her life with him. The subsequent two weeks were a celebration of their love as they adventured through Amsterdam, Northern Italy, and embraced the timeless charm of Fran's former home, Rome.

Fran and Will's love story serves as a testament to the enduring power of laughter, shared dreams, and the belief that, even in the digital age, true connections are forged when two hearts meet and choose to embark on life's adventures together. They eagerly anticipate celebrating their special day with loved ones.