How we met
Our story is serendipitous—like out of a movie. We’ve known each other for 10 years as mutual friends without ever considering one another. Throughout this time, I moved to Chicago from California to begin my career while Anna moved to California from Chicago to begin hers. While living in San Francisco, Anna became a babysitter for my sister of all people and they grew very close. Then in 2018, I visited California for Thanksgiving and saw Anna for the first time in years. Something felt different this time around and I found myself following Anna around and had major googly eyes for her. On this trip I totally forgot it was also my niece’s baptism that weekend (classic Justin) so I extended my trip for an extra day. It was on this fateful, extra day that Anna asked me to meet up for a drink.
“
I mistakenly thought she asked me out for a drink as more than a friend. That gave me the confidence to make a move and the rest is history.
- Justin
The sparks flew and we became inseparable. After 9 months of long distance dating, frequent visits every other month and a trip to Japan, Anna moved back to Chicago and we moved in together.
Fun Fact:
We were both born in the same hospital! Like how does that even happen?
The Proposal
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So... when are you going to propose?
-Anna
This was THE question of the last couple years. As the end of 2023 approached I knew the pressure was on to figure it out. Anna had been trying to guess when it would happen and made the claim, “I bet you’re going to propose during the holidays when all your family is in town.” I thought to himself, “You know what? That’s a good idea.”
It was honestly the best moment because it was also Anna’s birthday. So on December 28th 2023, I managed to wrangle together a surprise birthday party and went all out with a DJ, a custom cocktail menu inspired by our story, pizzas made by my cousin’s pizza shop and the company of our family and friends we love.
At the party there was a singular framed artwork hanging on the wall wrapped in paper with a bow. I proceeded to give Anna this gift and upon opening it she saw a custom made art piece I made of a hand with a ring on it and the message, “Anna will you marry me?” She of course said yes and it was one of the best nights we can remember.
And here we are. We look forward to having you complete this story and celebrate with us on our special day.
