Lauren: “I knew Danny was ‘the one’ because I was so drawn to him.”

Lauren and Danny

June 1, 2018

Chicago

I had just finished my first year of teaching at Schaumburg High School, and one of my friends had thrown an outdoor barbecue. My friend who was hosting the party turned out to be Danny’s roommate. That’s where we first met!

I was so drawn to Danny because while he was grilling, he was jamming out to the Backstreet Boys, which is my favorite childhood boyband! My sister was also at the BBQ, and I turned to her and said, ‘wow, that guy is so cool!’ However, I was in another relationship at the time. However, six months later my relationship ended. I was out one night with my friends, and I ran into Danny again at a bar. It felt very much like serendipity.

I knew Danny was “the one” because I was so drawn to him. He made me laugh and he was so kind. He has the biggest heart. It was so apparent. I just knew he was the one for me! I remember telling my mom that I had met the man I was going to marry the night after I met him. There is a warmth about him.

Danny proposed to me in the sweetest way. The day started off with my mom surprising my sister and I with Hamilton tickets. After the show, we went to get a drink. After the drink, my sister and I went back to my apartment. My apartment was pitch black and there were candles and flowers everywhere. I was stunned! Danny had a video of my grandparents, my parents, his parents, close friends and our siblings all saying what love means to them. At the end of the video, my grandpa asked, ‘so Danny, what does love mean to you?’ Then, he told me what love meant to him and he proposed! Afterwards, Danny booked the back room at a restaurant and all of my friends and family were there. It was so special.

The best part of planning my wedding was probably the food tasting, especially the cake tasting! I loved dress shopping and picking out the flowers. I remember going to the church before our wedding and it felt real. Danny and I were the last couple to get married at St. Cyprian Catholic Church before the parish merged with St. Celestine Catholic Church. It felt really special. Our reception was at Venuti’s in Addison.

The hardest part of planning a wedding is making so many decisions. I adapted the model, nothing is between life or death!

The advice I would give to brides is that you may forget what your wedding day looked like, but you won’t forget what it felt like. Enjoy the day and have fun.