Haley and Mark’s story started like most Chicagoans, during a Cubs game. What makes their story a little different though is that, Haley and Mark decided to meet for the first time at a bar called Split Milk, the same night the Cubs would later be named World Series Champions. The bar and city were buzzing with energy but Haley and Mark seemed to drown out the noise as they cozied up in a booth and began to get to know each other better. Mark leaned in to hear every little story Haley had to tell. They left the bar that night of course, overjoyed about their cities victory, and more overwhelming curious about one another.

After dating for a few months, Haley, as she so often did, caught the travel bug. This time, Mark came along for the ride. A plane, two buses and a boat ride later, they set out for an epic adventure in the mountains of Patagonia. The region was breathtaking and it certainly was a challenging hike, filled with wild things like Pumas but they conquered it together. Surrounded by the most rugged and beautiful scenery in the world they talked about their futures. This was mostly harebrained schemes and wild business ideas, but most importantly they were talking about their big plans together. Haley and Mark returned to Chicago filled with a new sense of love and trust in each other. It wasn’t long until Haley and Mark went on another adventure together, this time, much closer to home. They decided to buy a shabby, old hair salon called Magic Scissors. To most, it looked like a bad dye job, but to them it was a dreamy storefront loft, a place to dream up their futures together. Renovating wasn’t straightforward or easy but together they were able build their own little bunker in the city.

Not long after Magic Scissors was transformed into a beautiful home for two, Haley passed the travel bug onto Mark and the two decided to head somewhere they had only ever dreamed of, New Zealand. They spent just about a month driving a motorhome around the island. The, let’s say, modest conditions of the vehicle didn’t seem to phase Haley and Mark one bit -- both smiling ear-to-ear as they took in beautiful views along the way. On their way back from Milford Sound Mark became very picky as to where they would stop to eat lunch. Every postcard worthy spot seemed to crowded. Meanwhile Haley was starting to get very hangry from a long day of hiking and boating around the sound. Finally, Mark found the perfect spot, a valley surrounded by glacial mountains with streams winding their way through the golden grasses to the base of the mountains. After a few other campers came and went Mark wrapped his arms around Haley and asked her if she wanted to do this forever. She responded, “live in a van?” He proceeded to tell her that all that he wants in life is with her and pulled a ring out of his back pocket and asked her if she would marry him. She said yes. — The Ring was lovingly crafted by Annabelle Epstein Davis