They say to find someone to love, you should do what you love. We both love video games, so it makes perfect sense that we met in May 2019 while playing an online multiplayer game called Overwatch. Dave was in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Leah was in Chicago, Illinois. The only visual we had of the other was an XBox profile picture.

Leah loved Dave’s boisterous sense of humor (and thought his voice bore an uncanny resemblance to Mark Ruffalo’s), while Dave was always finding excuses to play just one more game together (even though he was an hour ahead). Our virtual connection deepened when Dave adopted a dog, giving him the perfect excuse to ask for Leah’s phone number to exchange photos and advice.

Our first in-person meetup was finally arranged in July 2019 at Buddy’s Pizza in Grand Rapids, marking the start of a “medium-distance” relationship. We spent weekends driving three hours to see each other — Dave in his Jeep with Goose the German Shepherd, and Leah in her Honda Fit with Birdie the Beagle. After some negotiation over 'ball', the dogs also bonded and became an iconic duo.

In March 2020, after less than a year of dating, the pandemic prompted Leah to pack for what was assumed to be a two-week, work-from-home visit to Michigan. Those two weeks turned into two and a half years, during which we navigated the challenges of lockdown, renovated the house, learned to ski, enjoyed competitive weekly game nights with friends, and grew closer with Dave’s extended family.

In the spring of 2022, we moved back to Chicago when Leah's job returned to the office. We then purchased our first home together in Roscoe Village in August 2023. After Goose’s passing in February 2024, we adopted the newest addition to the family: a pit bull/rat terrier mix named Poppy.

Our journey together these past five years has been marked with incredible experiences: northern lights in Iceland, a total solar eclipse in Arkansas, family vacations in Northern Michigan, and a new niece and nephew, Bree and Sinan.

We can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with you all on September 13th, 2025.