Let's set the scene.... the beginning of Junior Year at Waubonsie Valley High School.

In typical fashion for District 204, everyone had determined their Homecoming dates months in advance of the actual dance (literally during the summer). We had both made plans to attend the dance with other people before we even started "talking". We started "talking" toward the end of the summer leading into Junior Year. Fast forward to the dance... we were in separate groups for dinner and pictures. Unbenounced to our dates, we had made plans ahead of time to ditch our dates once we arrived at the dance, so we could be together. (Sorry to our dates)... Obviously all went to plan because here we are planning our wedding!!!

October 21, 2012... Michael's volleyball teammate drove him to Mackenzie's parents house with Dairy Queen ice cream in tow to ask Mackenzie to be his girlfriend.

We dated throughout the rest of high school, but sadly we were committed to different colleges to play volleyball and soccer. We did "long distance" (more like 35 min distance) Freshman year of college, with Mackenzie at UIC in Chicago and Michael at Lewis University in Romeoville. We were able to see each other and attend each other's games almost every weekend with our seasons being in opposite semesters. "Long distance" only lasted a year because Mackenzie transferred to Lewis University for Sophomore Year to continue her soccer career.

We attended Lewis University together from Sophomore Year to Senior Year. Best decision ever! After graduating from undergrad, we both decided to pursue our MBA at Lewis University with a one year accelerated program. Michael stayed busy with his final volleyball season and Mackenzie worked as a Graduate Assistant in the athletic department.

After graduating with our MBAs, we made plans to do long distance again with Mackenzie moving to Chicago for her first big girl job and Michael heading to Romania to play professional volleyball. Well... that didn't last long because Michael was only in Romania for 72 hours. (That's a story for another time)

Fast forward to now, we bought our first home together in Carol Stream in 2021 and have the best doggo (Duncan) in the world.

This wedding has been 11+ years in the making, let's celebrate accordingly!!!