We are two kids from Michigan from two rival high schools, the North Farmington Raiders vs. the Birmingham Groves Falcons. We never met back then, but life had a plan.

Like so many college grads from Michigan, we ended up in Chicago. Roger from the University of Michigan (a perfect fit for Mary and her die-hard Wolverine family) and Mary Louise from Western Michigan University. We even lived blocks apart in Lincoln Park, unknowingly crossing paths.

Marriage, children, and careers eventually led us to Park Ridge, IL. One day at the train station, Mary noticed Roger. For 18 months, she admired him from afar until fate (and a little courage) intervened at The Harp and Fiddle, where she finally said hello.

From then on, they exchanged friendly waves and occasional small talk on the train. Still, it took a pandemic and a mistaken Amazon delivery of a graduation lawn sign to bring them together. When a package arrived with the wrong sign, Mary remembered Roger had a daughter graduating and reached out. He picked up the sign, casually reminded her he was her Alderman (smooth move), and we had a nice chat—but still, nothing more.

Finally, one last message sealed our fate. Mary asked if Roger would be interested in getting to know each other better. His response? "That would be nice."

On Mother’s Day weekend, 2020, we cooked dinner at Roger’s house—three blocks from Mary’s. That dinner lasted nine hours.

We’ve been together ever since.

Today, we share our home in Park Ridge and enjoy life with our amazing, blended family—Ava, Jack, Anita, Garrison, and son-in-law Jameson—our family dog, Margo, and our visiting grand dogs, Max and Milo. We love spending time with our family, music, food, art, tennis, cycling, boating, golf, reading, gardening, socializing, dreaming of travel, grandchildren, and ways to give back.

Life is good. And this is just the beginning.

M&R

Ceremony