Gina Fama Röckenwagner and Alexander Nicholas Lake will celebrate 10 years together and their undying love for one another on June 8th, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Ms. Röckenwagner is an artist and knitwear designer at the helm of the sunny line Soft Haus. The groom is an artist and time-based media enthusiast. They both received Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where they met through social activities.

Ms. Röckenwagner’s interest in Mr. Lake piqued when Mr. Lake was invited to guest critique in her freshman research studio class, taught by professor Rebecca Waltz. Gina found Alex's enthusiasm for art and film was remarkable, not unlike her interest in art and textiles. Mr. Lake saw that she was passionate, beautiful, driven and full of life, “way out of my league,” as he recalls. After seeing him dancing at countless parties at ramshackle Chicago apartments, Ms. Röckenwagner finally asked Mr. Lake to see “a movie or something.”

The film was the poignant 1937 Make Way for Tomorrow. At the emotional culmination of the film, Ms. Röckenwagner glanced through her tears in the dim light and noticed that Mr. Lake was crying as well, with great intensity. This moment revealed Mr. Lake’s kind, sensitive nature to Ms. Röckenwagner.

Through their remaining years in Chicago, the two grew increasingly entwined. Ms.Röckenwagner helped Mr. Lake to spruce up his drafty Chicago apartment while Mr. Lake gave an abundance of emotional and creative support to Ms. Röckenwagner through her fashion studies. Mr. Lake frequently visited Ms. Röckenwagner in her studio at the Art Institute, insisting she would take breaks for lakeside walks and quick meals together to fortify her for the long hours in the studio. In 2009, Ms. Rockenwagner received the prestigious Sage foundation scholarship. She credits Mr. Lake’s help as crucial to her winning the prize.

After graduation in 2010, the couple moved to Brooklyn, New York. Making their way in a new city, the couple found comfort in decorating their cozy New York apartment, cooking meals, going to museums, movies and operas together.

In 2013 the couple adopted a shy cat named Agnes Pawses. She was found on the street in Red Hook after the devastating hurricane Sandy, which ravaged New York and the surrounding areas. In 2014 the couple welcomed Montana Paloma, a feisty ginger kitten found with her litter in Bushwick Brooklyn.

In their 10 years of life together, Mr. Lake and Ms. Röckenwagner have traveled to such amazing locations as Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Peru, Sweden, France, England, and India.

In late 2017, the couple began to make plans to move their home and work to Los Angeles, California. Mr. Lake decided it was time to make a formal declaration of his love and commitment to Ms. Röckenwagner in the form of marriage. He proposed on Easter, Ms. Röckenwagner’s favorite holiday, which also happened to be April Fool’s day in 2018. Keeping his plans completely secret, he made a heartfelt proposal to his love privately in their home in Brooklyn, after attending the Easter Bonnet parade.

Ms. Röckenwagner and Mr. Lake are elated to share in celebrating their love for one another in 2019, surrounded by family and close friends. After uniting in marriage in a colorful and personal ceremony officiated by the bride’s uncle, Eugene Fama Jr., the couple will invite their community to partake in an elegant feast followed by a raucous night of music and dancing. They feel honored to cement their union together with the blessings of their families before growing their own.