Alissa and Mike met in the middle of a cold Chicago winter. While their first date was supposed to be only for drinks, they ended up sitting at the bar at Tanta for close to 4 hours since the conversation never seemed to stop. They quickly bonded over their mutual love for travel, great food, and the ability to converse about just anything. While Alissa still hasn't visited the National Mustard Museum (an actual recommendation Mike made on their first date), little did they know they began a journey together that day and haven't looked back since.

On a hot and humid day in Chicago very unlike their first date, Alissa and Mike grabbed an Uber to the Art Institute to visit the Monet exhibit and get brunch (or so Alissa thought). When they approached the front steps, he described how important this intersection was for them: the Art Institute and Chicago Symphony were locales for many of their first dates and the location marks the beginning of the historic Route 66. Without a doubt in her mind, Alissa wanted to join Mike on this new journey together, and they've been getting their kicks on their own Route 66 ever since!