Katie has spent nearly her entire life growing up in St. Charles in the same home off Chesapeake Road. Pat and his family moved down the street off Red Gate Road when he was nine. For over seven years, their paths did not cross until early high school, at a friends 16th birthday party.


Pat and Katie quickly grew to enjoy spending time together - riding bikes around the neighborhood, getting froyo downtown, enjoying 2 for $20 dinners at Chilis and eventually making frequent lake trips to Lake Redstone, which would become a significant part of their relationship.


Growing up can be tough. And at times, Katie and Pat found themselves growing apart. As college came around, their relationship was put on hold as they learned to be more independent and explore more of life. Pat started at Clarke University in 2013 and transferred to Illinois State University his sophomore year, while Katie went off to the University of Kentucky in 2014.


By the end of their college years, Katie and Pat found themselves spending more time, making frequent visits to one other and celebrating their college victories. Although there was still a lot of life to explore, Katie and Pat realized they wanted to do it together. In 2018, Katie and Pat moved to Chicago getting their first Chicago apartment and entering into their professional lives. Eventually Trace, their Golden Retriever, made a quick entrance into their family on Super Bowl Sunday in 2021. He has really learned to soften up his dad.


On a family-filled September afternoon, Katie’s dad took a photo of the family when Pat turned to Katie to ask for one more picture while he knelt down on one knee to ask her to marry him. It was a very easy “yes”.


It has been a crazy, unique, special and ultimately best 11 years. And together, Katie and Pat are excited to continue to explore life and see what other challenges, accomplishments and adventures life has in store for them ahead.