On June 11th, 2002 New Found Glory released their first studio album Sticks and Stones. 15 years later, June 11th, 2017, at Beauty Bar on Chicago Ave in the eponymous city, there was a playthrough of the album. It was at this event where Lily and Brendan first met eyes. This became their Beauty Bar-iversary. Lily and Brendan instantly had their shared music interest to bond over. Their bond was made even stronger when they discovered their shared love of tea. She was delighted to find someone who had three teapots and a tea set.


More and more, shared interests began to emerge. Lily’s love of travel and learning about different cultures is more than most. This love has taken Lily to 11 countries…Brendan has been to 19 😉. Traveling was and has become an even more shared value of the two. Not to beachside resorts, but to cities and places that have their own unique experiences, whether overseas in Japan, over state lines to Indianapolis (their first weekend getaway), or a two week long campervan trip to Yellowstone. Perhaps a beachside resort is next, though I know Lily’s would much prefer a giraffe hotel in Kenya.


In early October 2022, Brendan asked Lily if she wanted to go hiking, an uncommon activity outside of our vacations. Lily was happily suspicious and they went hiking at Starved Rock State Park on October 15th, the same day as the anniversary of Brendan’s sister Siobhan and brother-in-law Nick that Brendan remembered differently and did not forget (sorry!). After some hiking and some lunch by the river, Brendan asked Lily to marry him. She said yes.