Some love stories begin over dinner or drinks — ours began in the back of a crowded college kitchen on Lowes Street in Dayton, Ohio.

Maggie and Jack first met in 2018 at the University of Dayton. It was the end of Maggie’s freshman year and the end of Jack’s sophomore year, when he walked into a Dayton house party and saw Maggie. After some liquid courage, he decided to spark up a conversation. The connection was instant and they ended up talking all night, squeezed into the back of a noisy, overpacked kitchen. Somewhere between the sticky floors and music, they realized they were both from Columbus and had grown up just 15 minutes apart from one another. What started as casual small talk quickly turned into hours of laughter and an undeniable connection.

That summer, they both headed back home to Columbus. Not long after, Jack asked Maggie out on their first official date for some afternoon tacos (the quickest way to Maggie’s heart). One date turned into many, and by the end of summer, there was no doubt that something really special was unfolding. Just days before Jack left to study abroad in Madrid for 5 months, they made their relationship official.

Even though they’d only recently started dating, Maggie decided to take a leap (and a week off school) to visit Jack in Spain. That trip quickly became one of their all-time favorite memories – filled with tapas, sightseeing, and 10:00PM dinners. From that point on, their connection and love only continued to grow stronger.

They navigated college life together, supported each other through their first jobs and grad school, and six years later moved into their first apartment together in Chicago, IL.

Then came October 18th, 2024. Jack told Maggie they were heading to his “work party” on the rooftop of The Old Post Office in downtown Chicago. But when they arrived, the rooftop was completely empty. Before Maggie could piece it all together, Jack got down on one knee and popped the question — and she of course said yes! She was then surprised with her family and friends who flew in for an engagement party at one of her favorite Chicago bars, Corcorcan’s!

Now they're planning a wedding and their future together and could not be more excited to celebrate their love with all of you!