Luke and I had been planning a week-long “staycation”, in July 2015. We took off work, and made some plans to explore the city. The schedule included trying out a new sushi restaurant, a kayaking tour on the Chicago River, Taste of Chicago, an improve comedy show (which turned out to include drinking games!), and going to Joe’s Bar, where they have turtle races every Friday. The week was such a great break from work, and a perfect opportunity to have lots of one on one time.

Our last day of vacation, we packed a picnic and headed to Promontory Point Park. This park is a small peninsula that stretches just far enough into Lake Michigan to have the MOST GORGEOUS VIEW of the skyline from the south end. Luke had brought along a grocery bag, inside which he was carrying a wine box. Now I thought this wine box was an unnecessary item to add to all the picnic supplies we already had to carry. I think we had to walk at least a half-mile, and I may have complained a few times about bringing it along. But after getting out picnic set-up, Luke passed me the box and said, “Are you ready to open up the wine?”  I opened the box, and was VERY surprised to see a boxful of rose petals, with a note tucked inside.  TIE THE KNOT?

And as I looked back at Luke, he was pulling out a small box, with my great-grandmother’s wedding band (which is exactly what I had hoped for!!) and got down on one knee.