Travis's Version:

On March 17th, 2017, our eyes met from across the room. I introduced myself, and after hours of smiling from ear to ear, we exchanged phone numbers and set a plan for our first date. I couldn’t believe it was real! I had been pestering MacKinsey’s older sister for months to introduce me to her younger sister. I was like a dog who finally caught the car. I pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming... I was awake, and life was good.

We had a wonderful summer together. Things were light and fun, as we both knew the summer would eventually come to an end. She would head back to North Carolina for her junior year, while I, five years older, would stay in Illinois. We spent the summer riding horses, eating ice cream, playing tennis, and enjoying the start of a beautiful friendship.

I prayed we’d stay in touch, but I was aware of the unfortunate reality that our lives could drift apart. Then, on a Saturday in January, the unthinkable happened—her name popped up on my phone. She was visiting Chicago for her birthday and wanted to catch up! I was thrilled. We had a great time together, and I was hopeful that our paths would continue to cross.

I’ve always felt that God had a hand in our relationship because, against all odds, our paths did keep crossing.

We spent time together whenever she was in Peoria, and one time I even got to see her cheer! During a work trip to North Carolina, I learned that UVA was playing in Chapel Hill that evening. Thanks to a free ticket from MacKinsey, I was just a $100 Uber ride away from seeing her in person, even if it was from the highest row in the arena. It was worth every second and every cent!

Then, on November 24th, 2023, our paths crossed once again in Peoria Heights. We were catching up, smiling ear to ear as always, when she mentioned she was considering moving back home to Peoria. I thought to myself—this is not a drill! What the heck are we waiting for?

Over the past year and beyond, I have loved MacKinsey more and more every single day. Becoming her soon-to-be husband is the greatest blessing of my life. I am beyond excited to go through life’s journey by her side. While our story is still being written, I cherish every chapter, and we trust the Author with the rest.

MacKinsey's Version:

I was home for Spring break in 2017 and spending St. Patrick's Day with my sister and brother-in-law. We were at Crusen's when Travis walked right up and introduced himself, although I had heard for months that he was dying to meet me. We had a fun night with our friends, and Travis begged me to take a picture with him. When we were smiling for the camera he said, "how about you give me a kiss on the cheek?". I think he wanted the picture so he could have an excuse to get my phone number to text it me.

I came home from Chapel Hill that summer and Travis asked me on a few dates. It was fun getting to know him and see Peoria through his eyes. The last date he asked me to go on that summer was shot gunning. I, as a 20 year old, thought he meant shot gunning as in what college boys do with their beers and politely declined and said I was heading back to Chapel Hill soon and would keep in touch. It wasn't until later in life, I realized Travis meant shoot clay pigeons and not drink beer.

I saw Travis throughout the years when I was home or if I happened to be in Chicago when he still lived there. In February of 2019, Travis texted me out of the blue that he was in Raleigh for work and I just so happened to have a basketball game that day. I was able to get him UNC basketball tickets (in the nosebleeds - sorry!) and he got to see me cheer in the Dean Dome. :)

Looking back, there were so many times our paths crossed. We always say there was an invisible string tying us together (shoutout to Taylor Swift) and God was waiting for the right moment to fully bring us back together.

Travis and I saw each other again at Clink November 2023 and hit it off the way we always did. I had been missing home and family and mentioned to my sister I could see myself moving home in the future (words that I never thought I would say). After that night at Clink, Travis texted me "You have the world's most infectious smile" and I knew I had him wrapped around my finger. :)

We went on several dates during my time home around Christmas. Each day we spent together only solidified our feelings and that this was a relationship worth pursuing and doing long distance for as I went back to Charlotte.

2024 was the most memorable and joyful year of my life with Travis by my side. I am so excited to marry the man of my dreams on August 16, 2025 and cannot wait to celebrate with our loved ones. :)

Travel

Holiday Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie, an IHG Hotel