A classic story of boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl get a dog. Boy and girl get married. Oh, you want more details?

Dan and Carla met at Durkin’s one fateful Saturday night in November. Both were out with friends, but luckily they exchanged numbers before Carla went home to prepare for a Chicago Bears game the next day and Dan went home to prepare for church.

Also luckily – they used the numbers and called. Thus began the great love story that is Carla and Dan. In May 2020, little Lottie joined the family – it was fate.

Luck and fate played another role in this story. Fate by the way of their niece who “aired her grievance” about Dan’s plans for a Festivus proposal. Luckily, Dan pivoted with a romantic evening stroll with Lottie (and a guest appearance by Scamper, Carla’s parent’s dog) that was followed by ringing in the holidays with celebrations and sharing the good news with family and friends.

As fate would have it, the wedding is planned for Carla’s grandma’s birthday. While she’s not here with us, it will be a day of celebrating Carla and Dan’s love and remembering loved ones who have passed. And, lucky for everyone – Lottie will be there too!