We're so excited to celebrate with you!

Yash was leading ITW's Young Professional Network (YPN), which was hosting a happy hour at Hopleaf in Chicago. It was Julia's first YPN event and let's say she hadn't quite drunk the Kool-Aid. As Yash discussed the profit margin for ITW's capless fuel system (a business he didn't even support), Julia couldn't help but think, "so this is my life now." It wasn't until they started meeting 1:1 as part of Yash's rotational program (which Julia's team managed) that sparks began to fly. When a 30-minute meeting turned into a 3-hour phone call, that's when they knew they were in trouble.

I had it all planned. We were supposed to take a romantic vacation in France in July 2020. I would propose to a beautiful backdrop in Paris. However, like most things in 2020, that didn't quite pan out. So...how to surprise Jules and make the day magical? If you know Jules, she's incredibly perceptive and I knew I had to get creative to throw her off the scent. In August, I told her I would be planning a surprise date for our anniversary. As we started driving to the first stop, we entered the familiar surroundings of Wicker Park to return to our first date spot, the Queen Mary. For Jules, this solidified that it was the night. Little did she know it was just a decoy. The real event wouldn’t take place until a weekend getaway in Saugatuck, MI in early October. Amazingly, our Airbnb host, Ray, happened to be a former sous-chef for Bobby Flay and was available to cook a private meal for us. Sneaking phone calls from the back stairwell of our apartment, I worked with him to create the perfect setting for our night: sunflowers (like I nicknamed her early in our relationship), string lights (like she loves), and heat sources to create both the literal and atmospheric warmth needed to tie it all together. Once everything was in its place, we stepped out of our room and she started to walk toward the car. I grabbed her hand and let her know we were going the other way - into Ray’s beautiful yard framed by foliage and a thicket of trees. As we stepped onto the patio, Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are" started playing (thanks Ray). I grabbed her hands and bumbled nervously through my long-rehearsed proposal. Fortunately, this amazing woman said "YES" to continue making me the luckiest man in the world. We drank champagne, watched videos from families and friends sending love and congratulations from all over the world, ate an amazing meal and reveled in a magical night together. We can’t wait to do this again, but with all of you in the same room with us.

Mar 2015 - First Meet at a YPN Happy Hour at Hopleaf Jul 2015 - Meaning to - but failing to - get a group together when co-workers were in town for a Women in Technology conference, Yash and Julia wind up going to All Inn bar alone. When Julia meets up with her family on vacation in Florida the next day, she finds an old Trivia Pursuit game in the condo. As she tells her mom how much fun she had the night before quizzing Yash with outdated Trivia Pursuit cards, her mom responds by asking about Yash's height. Realizing this is only a question her mom would ask about a suitor, Julia rolls her eyes and insists they're just friends. Oct 2015 - The Phone Call Oct 2015 - The Halloween Party Feb 2016 - First Date at Queen Mary's Tavern in Wicker Park Feb 2016 - After months of buildup and finally deciding to date despite being co-workers, Yash wound up having to leave the country for immigration issues 2 dates into their relationship. Blissfully ignorant, Julia was convinced it would only be a matter of days. However, days quickly turned into weeks without any end date in sight. Finally, he was able to return in April. At that point, he was interviewing for his next role and considering opportunities in places like Appleton, WI - where ice fishing is a common pastime. A departure from their lifestyle to say the least. Ultimately, he accepted an Illinois-based role, paving the way for their relationship. Dec 2016 - Yash Meets the Parents in St. Louis Jun 2017 - First Trip Together (Birmingham, AL) Feb 2018 - Yash's First Mardi Gras With Julia's Family Jun 2018 - Julia Meets the Parents in Montreal Aug 2018 - Move In Together in Logan Square Nov 2018 - Julia's First Trip to India May 2019 - Mocha & Mowgli Steal Our Hearts and Make Us Into a Family Sep 2020 - Yash Brings Julia to Their First Date Spot To Fake Her Out Oct 2020 - Yash Proposes in Saugatuck, MI May 2022 - We're Getting Married!