Wedding Day

Silver Lake Country Club

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

I started trying online dating several years ago and wasnt having much luck. I went on a couple crummy dates, went on a couple so-so dates, got stood up, and lots of messaging back and forth. So after awhile of all that I wasnt checking the website and my profile as often and got tired of doing all the back and forth questions and answers. I was ready to delete my profile and right before I did I saw someone on there that really caught my eye. He was super cute in his pics, it appeared we had similar interests and values, and he was super cute. I reached out to him (since the woman has to be the first one to reach out on that site) and gave some standard boring hello, welcome kind of message. A day later, I checked my profile and this cute guy responded not only to my silly greeting but also engaged in a normal conversation. So naturally, while drinking my 4 am coffee and checking my phone I wrote him a little bit more about myself and just starting chatting. Then we began an online dating conversation that led to exchanging phone numbers. As we took it a step further and chatted via phone instead of website we planned an in person date. It was refreshing that he asked me if I was interested in going out without the oh, lets set something up and it never happens or texting back and forth and something always comes up with either person or some other reason that you dont actually meet. Of course I said yes because at this point I really enjoyed talking to him and wanted to get to know him more. We met up for our first date and I got there first so I sat down as nervous as could be just waiting for him to walk up. I was so relieved to see him walk up (right on time) looking exactly like all his pictures! We went inside and talked and ate some appetizers for a few hours with the time passing so quickly. We are both early risers and had something going on the next morning so he walked me to my car and asked if I wanted to maybe go out again sometime. I said Id love to and got in my car like a giddy teenager grinning ear to ear. This was a good date with a cute guy, great conversation, with no B.S.! Basically a unicorn! I thought (and talked) about him a lot the next day while out with my bestie and our Moms. But I was fearful that if I divulged too much Id jinx it and this great guy would disappear. Guess what? He didnt disappear! In fact, we talked even more and went on more dates. On one of our first weekends dating I was enjoying my time with him so much I didnt want to go home. Then a little bit later he told me I was welcome to stay as long as I liked and suggested we order some take out too. After we had some local take out he suggested I stay longer to watch a movie...so I did. Shortly after that I brought more and more of my stuff over to his place and only went home to feed my cats. Two months later the cats and I were moved in. Two months after that my condo was up for sale. Two years later we are engaged to be marriedl. Im so glad I didnt cancel my online dating subscription before meeting John. Since meeting him Ive gained a best friend, a life partner, and so much more. Hes not perfect and neither am I but were perfect for each other. Ive never been a super sappy person, and, in fact, often find those sentiments to be cheesy. But now that Ive found my person, I find those sentiments to be true. I cant wait to spend my life with you, Johnny.

According to Kelly...

I didn't like where my life was heading so I decided to take some time away from being in a relationship to work on me.&nbsp;I felt like I had to make myself happy and have something to offer someone before I got back into the dating pool. Once I got to the point where I felt like I was in the position to get "back out there" I started looking at dating sites. I landed on Bumble because I felt like it was a site that attracted women who were looking for a real relationship and not just a good time. I knew I was ready to move on with my life and settle down and I was looking for the same. I prayed to God that he would send me the right women. I was on Bumble for a couple months before Kelly reached out to me. I had already been on a couple of bad dates and I was talking to a couple other women that really were not the right fit for me. I looked at Kelly's photos and read her story. I thought she looked very pretty and seemed nice, so we started exchanging messages back and fourth. Kelly would send me long messages very early in the morning. I remember thinking with messages this long she seems like a talker, lol. If my memory serves me correctly I messaged her back at some point, telling her not to expect to get replies back that early in the morning because I do not get up that early. The next day I woke up and I didn't see a new message which kind of bothered me. Of course we kept messaging and decided to get together and go on a date. I asked her if she wanted to pick the spot and she chose a place called Sip in Tinley Park. When I got there I saw her sitting on a bench playing on her phone. I took a moment to look at her, never realizing that God had answered my prayer and I was looking at my future wife. I remember sitting at SIP and feeling very comfortable as if I had known her for years.&nbsp;We went on a second date and ended back at what is now our house and when it was time for her to leave, I did not want her to go. We started seeing each other regularly and every time we were together, I didn't want to see her go. It was a true blessing from god that I found the woman that completes me. Eventually Kelly and her 2 cats Pumpkin and Zoey moved in, and we have never looked back. I am truly blessed to have this amazing, beautiful woman in my life.

According to John...

Our Story

Photos

Lisa Bant

Kent Diffenderfer

Susan Pfeiffer

Ken Diffenderfer

Alison Papini

Dan McInerney

Maggie Bant

Richard Miller

Wedding Party

Q + A

In Orland Park (Orland Hills)Make yourself at home in one of the 159 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping 

Quality Inn & Suites Orland Park Chicago

Near Canine Campus Dog ParkMake yourself at home in one of the 117 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Wired and wireless internet access is complimentary, while 40-inch flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and complimentary newspapers, and housekee

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago / Tinley Park

Near Tinley Park Convention CenterMake yourself at home in one of the 72 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. 32-inch LCD televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is p

Sleep Inn Tinley Park I-80 near Amphitheatre Convention Center

Near Tinley Park Convention CenterMake yourself at home in one of the 65 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provide

Comfort Inn & Suites near Tinley Park Amphitheater

Near Tinley Park Convention CenterMake yourself at home in one of the 86 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include safes and microwaves, as well as phones with free local calls.When you stay 

Wingate by Wyndham Tinley Park

Near Tinley Park Convention CenterMake yourself at home in one of the 63 guestrooms. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include complimentary weekday newspapers and coffee/tea makers, as well as phones with fr

Kelly + John

Kelly + John

Wedding Party