It was a tale as old as time. A true ‘Romeo and Juliet’ love story… an Ohio State Buckeye and a Michigan State Spartan…

Rob and Les met at the end of the Covid Pandemic. Rob almost didn’t match with Leslie because of her outward passion for The Ohio State University and all things Ohio… however, there was something about her he could not resist, and he sent her a message. Upon receiving a message from a diehard Spartan, Leslie almost kept scrolling, but something caught her eye. Rob’s profile and pictures showed such a passion for his family. Their first video chat lasted over three hours. They were hooked-- two Big Ten fans from opposing teams… they never looked back.

For their first date, Rob drove into the city to pick Les up, like a true gentleman. They went to Crosby’s Kitchen on Southport in Lakeview/Wrigleyville. They spent the entire evening discussing life as lawyers, family, and of course, NCAA sports. After dinner, they went to a nearby bar in Wrigleyville for one last drink, at which point, a group of girls on a bachelorette party asked them how long they had been married. Chuckling, Rob and Les told them this was their first date. Little did they know, this would be their last first date.

Three years later, Rob asked Les to marry him on March 1, 2024. Les, uncertain of how to act or what to do while being proposed to, tried getting down on one knee as well, but quickly realized that she should probably stand up… Rob patiently waited while Leslie composed herself. Rob had secretly decorated the entire home with rose petals, candles (flameless of course), and the most beautiful romantic music, while they had been out earlier in the day. After Leslie said, “YES,” Rob and Leslie went to his parents' home, where Leslie’s parents and his siblings were waiting to surprise Leslie with an engagement party.

It was truly one of the best days of both of their lives.