The WiFi wasn’t the only strong connection when Morgan and Paul first laid eyes on each other in February 2020. They both “swiped right” on Bumble – a dating app designed for the woman to make the first move, but Morgan had other plans. After initiating the conversation, responses were sporadic. After a few weeks, Morgan was scrolling through her list of suitors when she realized she hadn’t responded to a cute redhead named Paul. She went in for the kill: “Hey Paul! What if I told you I’m into gingers? 😉”. To which Paul responded, “Haha I’d support it, but I think being into me is much more important”. As they’d some come to find out, she was, and the feeling was mutual. They talked non-stop for days. All the while, the COVID-19 pandemic was picking up steam. Little did they know, Chicago’s St. Patrick's Day would be the last social event for years to come. But Morgan has always had a complicated relationship with rules. As the world was shutting down, Morgan was at a crossroads: play it safe and never meet her redheaded crush, or ignore the risk of meeting a stranger during those “unprecedented times”. Ultimately, Morgan chose to take a leap of faith and head to Paul's place for a “stay-at-home” date. After washing their hands thoroughly, they talked from opposite ends of a 6-foot-plus-long sofa about anything and everything. The night ended with an intense countertop game of water pong (parties were hard to come by those days). After winning, Morgan was on her way (editor’s note: Morgan did not win). This was the first of many at-home dates in a total of two locations: his place or hers. Luckily, it was the only date that required her friends and family to track her location, devise an escape plan, etc. – just in case… Paul and Morgan got to know each other very well throughout the early pandemic era. As quarantine was coming to an end, both Paul and Morgan knew their relationship would not. After 6 months of exclusively dating in a one-on-one setting (or as they like to call it – reverse dating), they graduated to meeting friends, family, and experiencing each other in a public setting for the first time. Between braving a pandemic, moving in together, raising a cat, and all the life that happened in between, they couldn’t imagine a life that wasn’t a life spent together.

Despite Morgan and Paul each living a time zone away from home, they realized early in their relationship how important of a role that family played in each of their lives. Whether it was COVID FaceTimes with the McGann nieces and nephews, drives to Detroit to hang with the Copps, or alternating flights during the holiday seasons, family has always been first. But given the distance between everyone, their families had never been together – until one warm weekend in June. Under the guise of a Friday dinner date, the stage was set. Before dinner, Paul and Morgan planned to walk through Humboldt Park, a city park that is home to a boathouse, nature trails, lagoons, and on this particular day, a Puerto Rican Heritage Festival. After insisting that they weren’t parked too far away, and that they should still go for a stroll on a blazing hot day, Paul corralled Morgan to the spot where their photographer, Morgan’s best friend Chelsea, was hidden. Daddy Yankee’s 2004 hit single Gasolina blasted in the distance. They approached a small bridge that Paul and Chelsea had scouted the day before as the proposal spot, and with Chelsea hidden behind a nearby bush, Paul knew he had to get Morgan facing the direction of the hidden camera. Very sure of himself, Paul suggested: “Hey, let’s see if there are any fish under the bridge.” To his surprise, they were greeted with swampland, a few empty cans of Bud Light, and no fish. Morgan laughed (and still holds that brilliant suggestion against him), but little did she know – she was now in position. After a few shaky words, Morgan knew something was up. Paul dropped down onto one knee and strung together a few words before popping the question while holding Morgan’s hands. After a head nod and a quick “yes”, Morgan hoisted Paul off of one knee for a massive hug with a side of happy tears. “I still have to put the ring on,” Paul whispered. He dropped back down to one knee, presented the ring once more, and asked, “Morgan Rose Copp, will you marry me?” Morgan followed with a firm yes and an even more firm hug. Paul flashed a thumbs-up to Chelsea, who was still waiting in the wings. Mission accomplished. With Morgan still in complete shock, she was convinced to hold off on the onslaught of phone calls and FaceTimes to family and friends until after a celebratory dinner to soak it all in. Paul informed Morgan and Chelsea that there was still time to kill before the dinner reservation and suggested a drink beforehand at their local watering hole, Bucktown Pub. Morgan led the way out onto the back patio where she opened the door to both families, who had taken planes, trains, and automobiles from Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania to celebrate their engagement in Chicago. Overcome with emotion, Morgan ran back into the pub. Her Mom helped ease her back out onto the patio where they toasted to a successful engagement before heading to the first dinner with families united. The rest of the weekend was filled with friends, family, and far too many drinks. At no surprise to Paul & Morgan, the Copps, McGanns, and Snyders proved to be a formidable trio in the “celebration” category. Paul and Morgan are eternally grateful for the sacrifices each family made to be in Chicago to ring in their engagement, and they can’t wait to continue to lean on them at every turn as they grow together from wedding day and beyond!