Mike and Caitlin first met when they were in high school where they each attended single sex high schools on the South Side of Chicago (Mother McAuley and St. Laurence). Caitlin was a cheerleader for St. Laurence and they also hung out in the same crowd for much of high school. It was not until senior year that Mike and Caitlin hit it off after discovering they were both hoping to head to Purdue for college but it truly all began when they hung out alone for the first time on Mike’s 18th Birthday. Throughout the years Mike and Caitlin became each others mainstays enduring both incredible and challenging times together during the different chapters of their lives. Mike and Caitlin could not imagine life without each other and they are looking forward to starting their next chapter together as husband and wife!

Mike and Caitlin had a 3-night staycation Downtown Chicago planned in order to escape and refresh with each other for a few days. Caitlin diligently planned the weekend to include some of their favorite Christmas activities, eating locations, and even mixed in a couples massage at Milk and Honey one afternoon. What Caitlin did not know was that Mike was planning something of his own. After checking in to their hotel on Friday Mike and Caitlin headed to Lincoln Park where they got pizza pot pies at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder and then went across the street to Lincoln Park Zoo to see their Christmas lights. If you could not tell by the wedding date Caitlin is a Christmas fanatic and cannot pass up a good holiday light display! After walking around the zoo for a while Mike and Caitlin came to a stopping point when Mike pointed out and asked why her best friend Alana and her husband Jared were at the zoo. Knowing that Alana was supposed to be working that night Caitlin was confused and naturally walked up to them asking what they were doing there! Alana said she had called off for a surprise double date. By the time that Caitlin turned around to look at Mike he was already down on one knee asking her to spend the rest of their lives together. After the initial shock subsided, Mike and Caitlin went out to celebrate with drinks in the city with Alana and Jared. At the end of the night Mike surprised Caitlin with a beautifully decorated hotel room covered in rose petals and candles. The two of them spent the remainder of the night together sipping a yummy bottle of champagne for the first time as each others fiancés.