Our Story
-2015-
Jake and Katy both grew up in Naperville but didn’t meet until their junior year of college at Illinois State University. Mutual friends brought Jake and Katy together one night to do what they loved to do best, see live music! It was at this house show that Jake and Katy learned how much they had in common. Jake couldn’t help but get lost in Katy’s eyes as they discussed their favorite shows and music artists. An immediate connection was formed, and after that night, they would spend many more nights laughing and learning about each other.
-2016-
It wasn’t long until Jake and Katy made things official their junior year, and continued to make some of their best memories together senior year as well. As the year came to a close, both graduated with bachelor's degrees. Both were eager to start their careers and so they began applying and interviewing. Jake accepted a position as an Account Executive at C.H. Robinson where he would be able to put his love of business and software to use. Katy soon after accepted a Project Management position with Dealer Inspire, an exciting startup based in Naperville. It would be here where Katy would rediscover her passion for web design and technology.
-2017-
Soon after Jake and Katy started their new positions, they decided the time was right to get a place of their own. Jake and Katy knew they wanted to stay in the Naperville area to be close with friends and family. After looking at a few different apartments, they landed on the perfect spot in Naperville. It was located minutes from downtown, Katy’s office, and Jake’s parents were just across the street. They both decided this was the perfect place to start the next chapter of their life together.
-2019-
Jake and Katy had made their apartment into a home- hosting friends and family for fun events like Friendsgiving and family game nights. While Jake and Katy felt very much at home in their apartment, they both felt like something was missing. Katy having grown up with a family dog her entire life, and Jake never having a dog, both of them agreed the time was right for a puppy. Soon Jake and Katy would be driving to Iowa to pick up their new four-legged best friend, a corgi named Howie! Their new roommate had a great personality and loved nothing more than playing tug of war with Jake, and snuggling next to Katy on the couch.
-2020-
One evening while Katy was at a work event, Jake invited Katy’s parents to dinner to formally ask for their blessing to propose to Katy. It was here that Jake explained his deep love for Katy, and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Lou and Anna were so excited by the news, and the three began to talk about the proposal and ring. With the help of Jake’s family and Katy’s Family, they were able to plan the perfect proposal that would take place in downtown Naperville. After weeks of preparation and designing the ring with amazing help from Anna and Katy’s sister, Katrina, Jake was ready to ask the most important question of his life.
On May 31st, Jake invited Katy to take a walk along the riverwalk in downtown Naperville before they grabbed dinner. It was during this walk that Jake told Katy how lucky they were to have met, having grown up so close to each other, but not knowing each other until College. He went on to talk about the memories they had living here, and the many memories they would make in the future. It was then that Jake got down on one knee and asked Katy to marry him. Katy with tears in her eyes, said “yes!” with excitement. It was then that both Jake and Katy’s family rushed from the path further down the riverwalk. They spent the rest of the evening celebrating as a family.
-2021-
After five great years living in their apartment, Jake and Katy agreed it was time to move into someplace bigger that they could make their own, and eventually use to raise a family. They quickly found how difficult the house hunting process would be, but with the help of their amazing realtor and family, they were able to find the perfect home in Naperville.
-2022-
On October 14th, Jake and Katy got married at The Brix on the Fox surrounded by their family and friends. The day was filled with lots of (happy) tears, laughter, dancing, drinking, and eating. Their long-awaited Wedding day was even more perfect than they could have imagined and felt so blessed to have their loved ones celebrate their union. The following Monday, they left for Cancun to relax and soak up some sun for their Honeymoon!
-2023-
Their honeymoon in Cancun gave Jake and Katy the travel bug, and 2023 was filled with travel for them. Jake had a golf trip with his friends in Florida, and Katy had a girls trip with her friends in Jackson Hole. They also went on a family vacation with Katy’s parents, Katrina, TJ, and a large group of Lou and Anna’s friends in Punta Cana. For their one year anniversary, Katy and Jake took the trip of their dreams- to Italy! They ate, drank, walked (a lot) their way through Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice.