Family and friends, In light of recent developments, we wanted to share some thoughts that might be helpful related to the pandemic. We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you, though we understand that this might look different for each guest. Masks and hand sanitizer will be readily available at the venue, and we certainly won’t frown upon anyone’s choice to wear a mask for a portion or the entirety of our wedding celebration. We also respect everyone’s choice to engage in social distancing practices if they feel they cannot safely mingle with other guests. However you’re choosing to celebrate, we can’t wait to see you next weekend! If you have any questions or concerns regarding our management of COVID-19, please feel free to reach out and speak with either of us directly. Love, Eileen & Chad

I am sure most of you have heard me say "my good friend Chad." Well, that's really where this whole thing started. I love to say that we met in elementary school. We really did! We were in the same class through a program called multi-age at Lindbom Elementary school in Brighton, MI. Chad was a 3rd grader and I was a 2nd grader. We have a picture of us playing together! Okay, so we didn't kick if off then... we reunited my senior year of high school and Chad's freshman year of college. We got together because my best friend, Bella Diaz was in choir with Chad's friend Joey Keil. One late evening... like 2am late, we all met up at Taco Bell because, well, why not?! I still remember the moment I (re)met Chad. He had his blue nike hoodie up and turned toward me with a soft smile and said something along the lines of "hey I remember you." That was the beginning of the crew hanging out almost anytime we could. Chad, his friends, and my friends all got along so well. I was immediately drawn to Chad. He was so sweet, easy to talk to, funny, and tall ;) Everyone knew we had a thing for each other but for 8 months straight, I kept saying we were just "good friends." It was all my fault. But, at the same time... we were able to build our love on a solid foundation of friendship and respect. Long story short, we ended up going to a Lumineers concert. We had been listening to their music together especially the songs "Ho Hey," "Dead Sea," and "Stubborn Love." I realized, as Chad gave me a piggy back ride in order to see the Lumineers more clearly, he was the man of my dreams. He lifted me up. He made me feel more free and more like myself. It was after this concert, we FINALLY went on our first date to Noodles + Company on June 27, 2013. Chad kindly asked me to be his girlfriend a little after midnight. Making our dating anniversary June 28th, 2013. It's been bliss ever since and I am happy to say Chad is still my very very good friend but also the love of my life!

My heart was pounding and my fingers fumbled with the box in my pocket as we walked down to the dock, together. Everything was working out as I had hoped. No one was around on the lake. I was able to sneak down to the dock early and plant the card. It was a beautiful July evening with the sun shining and only the slightest waves on Little Glen Lake. We put our wine down at the foot of the dock and Eileen spotted the card I planted in the boards of the wooden structure a few feet ahead. It was all working out perfectly. But then… she sat down to read the card. Of course she didn’t know, but this wasn’t a long card like she was expecting. This wasn’t part of the plan. “How am I going to propose to her if she is sitting down?!” rattled through my brain. I had to change plans. ---------------- There’s a decisive moment when you realize, “I know how I am going to propose.” Mine came on July 2nd, 2019. 24 hours before the proposal. There was one thing I knew for certain leading up to this summer: I was going to propose on Glen Lake. I just didn’t know when. Eileen and I had been going to Glen Lake to stay at her family’s cabin for the entirety of our 6 years together. The spot that was most special to us? The dock. We had formed a tradition that on a beautiful summer evening, you could find us on the dock drinking a glass of wine, enjoying some cheese, crackers and a great conversation. I knew that’s where I was going to do it. It felt right. The week prior, Eileen and I had celebrated our 6 year anniversary in Ohio by hiking and exploring in Hocking Hills and spending time in Columbus - one of our favorite cities. I had broken one common tradition we share on special occasions - I didn’t write Eileen a 6-year anniversary card. Was it on purpose? Not necessarily. But it became part of my plan.

Eileen knew something was up, but I didn’t think she knew what I REALLY had planned for the evening. Earlier in the day, she asked what we should do that night… I got nervous. I tried to deflect by doing what I do best - humor. I lifted the fabric of my shirt on my arm… “See that, Eileen?”. “What?”. “I have something up my sleeve.” Good one, right? She knew I had something planned, but I thought I’d still catch her off guard. I told her to get ready for the evening - just the time I needed to set things up. As Eileen was getting ready, I went down to the dock with the two things I needed: a card and a GoPro. I set the GoPro up hidden behind the canoe rack with a view of the dock. The card was placed between two boards at the end of the dock. I was ready. A few minutes later, I poured Eileen and I a glass of Late Harvest Riesling. I popped the tabs on my camera case (a place she would never look) and grabbed the small box with the ring inside. We walked down to the dock with wine in hand. I was nervous. I wasn’t nervous she’d say no, but we had built 6 years to this moment and I was excited to take the next step to spending the rest of our lives together. She saw the card on the dock and immediately went to it.

That wasn’t going to work. “This is a card you have to read standing up.”, I said. She opened the card to see a brief note scribed inside… “Eileen, I have a question…” I dropped to one knee and found the words I had rehearsed in my head over and over during the last 24 hours… In fact, longer than that. It was a moment I had envisioned since I was young. A moment I always looked forward to. She said yes. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. “Where do newly engaged people go in Glen Arbor?” I asked her. Eileen’s parents got engaged on Glen Lake and had dinner at a restaurant over 30 years ago that was still there. “The Little Traverse Inn.” We enjoyed a fantastic dinner and a beautiful sunset to end the evening. More than anything - we were going to get married.