Our love story started well before either of us were actually born. Our moms became fast and dear friends as young working professionals in Chicago, and motherhood came at a similar time for them. That's when Kevin and I entered the picture. Growing up, our families went on countless trips to Disney World, the Rocky Mountains, and various campsites together. On our trips, Kevin and my only brother Andrew were the closest in age, so they bonded quickly. (Kevin's older brother Kyle befriended me to make sure I never felt excluded.) I always remember thinking, Oh, Kevin is cute, but we grew up in different suburbs, went to different schools, and lived very different lives. There was no way our paths would ever cross "like that," until they did. My brother Andrew was getting married—to one of my mom's other best friend's daughters, believe it or not—and I needed a date to the wedding. I happened to be on vacation with my mom and Kevin's mom—did I mention Kevin’s mother is also my godmother?—and she casually said, Oh, just go with Kev. He's already going to be there, and he'll definitely dance with you and tell you look pretty.

Andrew's wedding was the first night we truly got to enjoy each other not on a family vacation or around a dinner table. Sparks flew, but we kept them a secret knowing it could be chaos if things crumbled, so we took the time to make sure we were both all in before telling our families. In December we’ll have been married five years and just welcomed our son last September. It's been a joy that our family friends are now officially family. And it doesn't hurt that I've known my in-laws (on both sides!) my entire life