Our Big News!!

If you're friends with me on Facebook, or follow me on Instagram, then you probably already know our exciting news. If not, here it is... Luke proposed to me in Chicago! We're over the moon excited! I couldn't be happier with how everything happened & can't believe that I'm now engaged to my best friend!

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It was Tuesday afternoon & I was heading back from work in the suburbs. I had to drop off my rental car at the airport & then hop on the orange line train back downtown to our hotel, where I was meeting Luke (who had just arrived about an hour earlier). We decided to go out for a few drinks since it was pretty early (like 4pm early). We went to the Wit Hotel, just around the corner & had a few drinks at their Rooftop bar before we got ready for our dinner reservations.

Beforehand, Luke had done some research & found Le Colonial, a French/Vietnamese restaurant on Rush street, that he knew I'd just love. After a short cab ride, we arrived at the restaurant & proceeded upstairs to the bar because we were kinda early. While up at the bar we casually chatted & I just remember being so happy that Luke was finally in Chicago with me. I could tell Luke was even more excited than me, because Chicago is HIS city.

We had the best time at dinner & our restaurant was absolutely amazing. Luke couldn't have picked out a more perfect place for us. The food was to die for & the atmosphere was so romantic with a south pacific flair. There was soft French music playing in the background as we kept smiling at each other & raving about our food. A sweet couple sitting next to us took our picture & we took theirs as well.

After we left the restaurant we decided that we should go up to the Hancock Tower (just a few blocks away) & have a drink on the 95th floor Signature Room. Before we got there, Luke kept trying to find the Water Tower Building. He kept looking at his phone & trying to figure out where it was... Of course me being oblivious to everything around me, I just thought that he wanted me to see it because it's a Chicago landmark. We leisurely strolled up to the stairs of the building, hand-in-hand, when Luke stopped me. He turned around & said that he brought me here for a reason. It was right then when I knew what was happening. He was down on one knee & giving me the most beautiful speech that I could have ever imagined. He explained the significance of our location, what it meant to him, what it meant to us... The tears started flowing immediately. I couldn't believe it was happening! I tried to remember everything he was saying, but it was all a blur. It was such a sweet moment that I wish could've lasted forever.

After a lot of hugs & kisses & more crying (happy tears!!) we walked over to the Hancock Tower & rode the elevator up to the Signature Room. Once we got settled in at our table & ordered a few drinks, we called our families & texted a few friends. We kept the celebrating going at a few more bars on Rush Street before we took a cab back to our hotel. I went to bed thinking that was one of the best evenings of my life!

I had always wondered what Luke would do, when the time came that he proposed to me. Nothing I ever imagined came close to how perfect everything was on Tuesday night. The drinks, the dinner, the ring, the guy... that entire night - was the best I could ever ask for. I truly am one lucky girl!

This is where Luke proposed :)

- Photos © Holly Carman -