.....annnnnd we're back in Chicago!!!!

Its officially been 4 months since we have been back in the windy city, and life has been full of so much excitement and chaos! We have been catching up with family, old and new friends, and taking in every moment of being back in our favorite city! We both are going to miss Maryland and our four years worth of memories and relationships made there! That was the entirety of our relationship where we really grew as a couple:) It didn't hit us till our last week there that this really was home for us. We always considered Chicago as home, but we made Maryland our home over time. Many ups and downs, life lessons and much growing up together, crying, laughter, etc. But now we have hit a new chapter in our lives, the wedding is now in full speed of planning and our lives are just starting to take off for the best!!! We have never been happier and more excited:)

Our last morning in our Maryland Apartment :(

Since we have been back Nick and I have both landed great jobs, and I finally completed my years of hard work and dedication with graduating at Columbia College Chicago (WoooHooo!!!). I earned my Bachelors of Arts degree in Fashion Studies. The ceremony was held at the historic Chicago Theatre in downtown chicago! Followed by an amazing celebratory dinner at the Park Grill. I have never felt so overwhelmed with accomplishment in my life, and I am so happy I had Nick and my families love and support by my side through it all! We had quite the evening needless to say:)!!!

Aside from graduating, wedding planning has begun:) My dress was the first thing that initiated the wedding planning itself. My mom took me to a couple places where I tried on numerous dresses, one place where I had thought we might have found the one but I was still unsure. Then my mom took me to Volles Bridal Boutique in Lake Zurich where she and her sister bought there dresses. Literally 3 dresses in I found the one! The dress was/is beautiful and I couldnt imagine a more perfect dress than this to marry the love of my life, my best friend, my rock, the man of my dreams in. I probably stood staring emotionally at me in my dress for a good 45 minutes, till I was pretty much told I can make appointments to come back and stand in it some more when ever I felt like it (haha), maybe try on accessories, lingerie, shoes etc with the dress. At that moment though things began feeling more real, I kept thinking to myself 'I really am getting married! IM IN THE WHITE DRESS!' That day was truly special and I am so happy I had my mom with me to experience it all with!!! Keeping the dress a secret is going to be the biggest challenge EVER! Since that day we have knocked a few big things off of our list, officially:

Wedding Dress

Reception Venue

DJ

Wedding Cake

That might sound very random and soon, but I can't begin to describe how relieved I feel knowing those things are done (and come on, 1 year away, we are on a roll). Now we are looking to find our ceremony site and our photographer which has been quite the adventure to say the least. We both would like to say we wish we could take one month for a break, but a few days after we said that we started discussing our registry, engagement pics, annuoncements, and engagement party. So that break, well we will see.:)

Lastly, with being back we have been busy almost every weekend so far, with everyone wanting to see us and us wanting to do all the things we absolutely missed. Boating with friends, Nick's mom was in, family outtings, air shows, flea market, celebrated our 4 year, bridal shows, birthdays, fantasy football league, ladies night, wedding stuff, trails, etc. This past weekend we went to the Wisconsin State Fair just the two of us. We had such a blast eating more than our bodies could handle, saw some GREAT bands, watched the pig races, walked through the animal barns, ate some more, did the skyline ride, etc. It was the perfect day for it, weather was beautiful and overall it was a great crowd, everyone looking to have just as much fun as you!! We are already planning for next years!!!

Being back so far has been such a blast, and we are so excited to see what this chapter in life will bring for us as newly engaged Nick & Sarah:)