As told from her perspective:

I first met CJ in my mid-twenties. He was best friends with my friend’s husband. At that point in time, I was too concerned with being “cool” to realize that his quiet confidence didn’t necessarily mean he was a mute dork (haha). Over the next 10 years we would see each other at our mutual friends’ events but never more than a simple “hey” or “how are you” was spoken. I didn’t know that during some of this time, he wasn’t living in Chicago but was pursuing his law degree and working for the Obama campaign (pretty impressive for the “shy guy”).

Fast forward to 2018, he randomly wished me Happy Birthday on Facebook Messenger (Feb) and apparently asked my friend if I was single around the same time. She and I had lunch where we caught up on my boy drama, and life in general, at which point she let him know that I was available. He waited another 6.5 months (Aug) before reaching back out over the same medium to ask me to the Pearl Jam concert with an “extra ticket”. Unfortunately, I was already going to that concert as well as the next one he inquired about. But, he was patient and persistent…asking me to meet for a drink where I finally learned that he wasn’t shy at all when comfortable/one-on-one. He was engaging and really interesting in fact!

Over the next 5 months he would ask me out with just the right cadence (and space) – we went curling on a rooftop (I schooled him!), out to dinner for tapas (where I learned he’s quite picky but willing to try), to Garth Brooks at Notre Dame (I love country!) and to see Bohemian Rhapsody (best movie I’d seen in years). Not only did he prove he was patient during this time but he also was extremely thoughtful in sending me a travel water bottle to take on my mission trip to Guatemala and bringing me a hand warmer for Christmas because he’d already learned I’m always cold. This thoughtfulness made me describe him to my sister as “the kind of guy who would try every day to make you happy” if I ever thought I’d want to get married someday (haha).

Finally, at the end of January 2019, he pointed out to me that we had been “dating” for 5 months and offered to take me to Jamaica for my birthday to get out of the winter for a few days. He even rented a 2 bedroom place to be respectful and make sure I didn’t feel any pressure. After initially saying “I can’t”, I consulted with my sister and went for it! (Sorry Mom and Dad for not telling you before now!) What I learned by doing this was that what could have felt awkward or forced was everything but. I was instantly comfortable in his presence, we got along so well without effort and he even indulged me by hiking Lover’s Leap (which almost led to his demise!). Upon returning home to Chicago after a few days in the sun, we were relaxed, a bit tanned and mostly already falling in love.

Since then, we’ve been to Austin in May, on an incredible trip to Italy in June, Omaha in July, Atlanta in September and ultimately Iceland in October where he shocked me with a proposal and the rest is history!

As told from his prospective:

Emily and I first met sometime between 2005 and 2008, still unable to pinpoint the specific date. This came about because our friends started to date. Those friends got married in 2009, thus continuing Emily and I running into each other occasionally, with nothing more than a casual hi, how are you? Unfortunately for me I was still living all over, not returning to Chicago until 2010. Upon returning to Chicago I asked my friend's wife a couple times about Emily, but we never seemed to be single at the same point in time.

Fast forward to me finally asking Emily out. I asked the same person again if she was single and was told yes, and in my typical fashion I got around to asking her out about 6 months later. My first attempt at asking her out was a last minute offer to go to a Pearl Jam concert, trying to play it cool, you like music? want to go? Being the concert lover she is, Emily was already going to the show, and even the next one I suggested too. I did have to emphasize to her that I was asking her out, as she seemed to think it was just random! Finally, I asked Emily if she wanted to grab a drink. She said yes! Remembering at this point, we’ve essentially only said hello to each other over the course of a decade. I came to find out she thought I was mute and I may have thought she wasn't very down to earth, but both of us couldn't have been more wrong. That night in August ended with both of us being pleasantly surprised and continuing to talk for the next few months, going on a date when our schedules permitted. In January I wanted to get away and spend time together, away from the city and distractions.

In line with my spontaneous nature I asked Emily on Monday what she was doing the upcoming weekend. Without skipping a beat, Emily said, “I’m not going anywhere.” She was already reading my mind! HOWEVER, the next morning she texted, “Where did you want to go?” I knew enough about Emily’s love of travel at this point, she would talk about her amazing trips, but even more about the next one to come. On top of that, a warm weather destination in the midst of January in Chicago, I went for it. Unbeknownst to Emily I had already booked us flights to Jamaica and was just hoping she would come around…by Wednesday she did! Thankfully a friend shared her upcoming itinerary for pointers of where to stay and what to do.

With less than 12 hours until takeoff, it was too quick to be nervous, off we went. The flight to Jamaica seemed quick and then we endured a 2 hour and 45 min ride to our resort. We didn't know they had just demolished a large section of road and our van went 5 m.p.h. for about an hour. Being our first trip together, so many things could have gone awry, but we just took everything in stride. This was our first trip together and it was amazing, as much as we knew each other before, this trip was all we needed to know. Save for only 1 hiccup, which we quickly were able to laugh about. Emily loves to hike and so off we went, without a guide, very little water, down the side of the cliff to the ocean (the easy part), the return trip was going well until we lost the trail, the heat became unbearable and we went every way we could for 2 hours until we finally picked up the trail again. I claim she tried to kill me on our first trip, but we managed it together and it became a great memory.

While I had gotten to know Emily, and wanted to spend more and more time with her, Jamaica was the moment I knew. We flew back to Chicago late that Sunday and as we were riding in the taxi I suggested to drop her off first. After spending 4 straight days together she asked if I wanted to stay just that night, as we were still reliving the trip and having fun. We didn't want it to end. I went to Emily's that night and never left.

We continued to travel and explore, which took us to Iceland in October. I knew for months that I was going to ask Emily to marry me. With some luck of planning her dad and I went to a football game a month prior to the trip where I told him of my plan and asked for his blessing. We landed in Iceland and went off exploring the first day on our own. I knew where I wanted to do it, but didn't want to give it away. We stopped a few more places than planned, due to Emily’s rerouting, but finally made it to the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. There I asked Emily to not let it end...and if she would marry me.