We met by a fluke while studying overseas in 2012. We were both traveling to Greece for spring break. While connecting from Italy, I missed my train! I [illegally] hopped on the next train to connect to the ship setting sail to Corfu, and found myself sitting in the last available seat on the train, across from Peter. Our first words were not romantic. Peter said something goofy, poking fun at me, and I did NOT find it endearing. But, in the next week we spent traveling Greece together with our student group, Peter redeemed himself and we became very fond of each other. We left Greece as great friends and promised we would see each other again. And we did... We finished our degrees at our respective schools back in the U.S., accepted our first jobs, and relocated to Chicago, unknowing the other had done the same. When Peter discovered that I too lived in Chicago, he wasted no time to ask me on our first official date. Peter took us to Headquarters Beer-cade. We played Mrs. Packman for two hours straight and caught up on each other’s lives since we said farewell in Europe over a year before. We were both pleasantly surprised by our competitiveness, and not at all surprised by how much we liked each other. For the record, I won. We have been together since!

Peter was throwing me off his trail for months–I had NO idea it was coming. It was December 1st and cold. We had just returned from Thanksgiving from Peter's hometown in Pittsburgh on Sunday evening. He was already trying to make plans for the next weekend–which, considering Peter never plans, was peculiar. Peter told me that he bought movie tickets for Friday evening after work. The plan was to come home right after work and drive to the movie together. However, my work friends planned a last-minute happy hour for the same day. I told Peter that I'd meet him at the theater after drinks since there was plenty of time before it started. Poor Peter tried to get ahold of all my co-workers to cancel the happy hour, but couldn't! But he somehow convinced me to cut the happy hour short. When I walked into our apartment I was met with 50 lit candles, champagne, our favorite Van Morrison song, roses everywhere, and Peter on his knee with a ring! I immediately tackled him! He told me there were no movie plans–just a reservation at my favorite restaurant, Boka, and an engagement party for the following night with our friends and family to celebrate!