Jen grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin and will always be a Green Bay Packers fan despite living in the Windy City since 2004. After working in public accounting for almost six years, Jen now works at the Wrigley Company in downtown Chicago as an Internal Auditor. So, if you need any gum, you know who to call! She loves cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers whenever possible (football, basketball, hockey), travelling, shopping, and spending summers outdoors in Chicago!
Andy is a Chicago native (well, the ‘burbs) and has lived in the downtown area ever since returning from four glorious years at Michigan State University. Now in the third evolution of his professional career, he heads-up operations at a firm that manages environmental remediation for bankruptcy trusts. His passion? Simple. Boating. Having had a boat for the last nine years, he loves being on it, near it, inside it, on top of it, you get the idea! But after wandering aimlessly from gas dock to gas dock, he discovered a deeper love….
It was a sunny afternoon in May of 2008 when both Jen and Andy decided to attend an obstructed view Cubs rooftop party. (What you are witnessing to your left is the first recorded image of the couple. Please disregard how “sub-optimal” Andy looks)
At the time, Jen thought she was moving to London for work and Andy thought he was moving to Los Angeles. After being introduced by a mutual friend (a fellow Badger alum and friend of Andy’s best man’s girlfriend), there was clearly a spark and the two hung out together for the rest of the day! They discovered that they shared a love of the movie Anchor Man, Thai food, sushi, and traveling. During the next few weeks, Andy and Jen spent a significant amount of time together, and even decided to book a trip to Cancun, Mexico before Jen left for London! The trip was amazing and included a road trip to Chichen Itza, a day trip to XelHa, shopping at the Cancun market, and lots of sun!
As it turns out, Andy and Jen both stayed in Chicago and officially moved into together in July 2009! No dog yet, but they have a very happy fish, Zeus.
the proposal
It was Halloween weekend and Andy’s boat needed to be put into winter storage. At the last minute, Andy said that he was needed for an emergency consulting gig at his former employer. While this seemed suspect, Jen was happy to use the spare time to get a manicure and pedicure with her fabulous friend Megan who was visiting from London. Andy picked her up from the salon and they were off to Diversey Harbor to set sail for Indiana. A little past Soldier Field, Andy stopped the boat so they could take some photos on the bow with the city skyline in the distance. It was here where Andy got down on one knee and popped the question! Jen immediately said yes and the two continued on their journey to Indiana.
As if the proposal wasn’t enough, Andy had arranged for a limo to take them back to the city where he had rented a suite at the Palmer House Hilton. That morning, he had decorated the suite (with the assistance of his sister) with hundreds of pictures of the two of them and two hundred pink gerber daisies, Jen’s favorite flower. It was like a dream come true!
Additionally, Andy had chosen new Halloween costumes for the couple to wear to the Halloween Party that night – Zombie Bride and Groom! After eating a romantic dinner (in costume) at the hotel’s restaurant, the newly engaged couple was met by Jen’s friend, Megan, and Andy’s sister, Jenny, to head over the Halloween Party! All in all, it was a fantastic night, surrounded by friends and family!