A play about WWI, that is. Harry was in his first main stage production at the University of Illinois, which Marisa had to attend for her Theatre 101 class. Thank god she actually does her homework.

After the show, Harry was in the lobby thanking the audience for coming when a beautiful woman approached him. "Excuse me, but are you Harry Belden?" She asked. Harry was of course taken aback. The only notoriety he had gained so far was for winning that hot dog eating contest on Quad Day. But she hadn't been there for that, had she?

It turned out that Marisa had recognized Harry from their mutual friends back in high school. Despite going to rival high schools in Chicago and knowing many of the same people, they had never actually met. Thanks to Marisa taking the initiative, they became fast friends.

After about a year of friendship, they decided to start dating -- a month before Marisa went abroad for an entire semester. Great timing! Despite only being a couple for a short time before Marisa's study abroad program in Paris, Harry rendezvous-ed with her in the City of Love in June of 2016. They set off on a three week trek across Europe, putting their nascent relationship through the ultimate stress test. Because really, if you can do a month abroad with someone after dating for only a month, you can pretty much do anything together.

Since then, they've spent 9 wonderful years together! From quarantining together during COVID lockdowns, buying a condo in Chicago, Marisa getting her Master's degree from Northwestern, to moving to LA, they've always supported and lifted each other up.

Marisa and Harry are so happy to have you as a part of their wedding, the union that is taking them into the next stage of their lives together. Thank you for being here!