Our story starts at the end of Summer 2020, during our final year of College at Illinois State University. The world was finally starting to regain some normality after the Covid shut down and we were both itching for some social interaction. So, separately, we decided to head down to school a few days early to settle into our apartments and meet up with friends.

During one of the first days back, our friend Anna, wanting to merge her friend groups, invited the two of us out to the BloNo bars with a few other people. The group met up at Celeste’s apartment to be introduced and get ready for the night out. In that fateful moment, when Anthony walked through the door, making eye contact with Celeste for the very first time, there was..…crickets.

We wish we could say there was an immediate spark, but we wanted to tell this story truthfully. Besides a general sense of finding the other cute, we didn’t have a love at first sight moment. Though what we lacked in immediate infatuation, we made up for by quickly recognizing our numerous similarities and establishing a comfortable bond during our time out. By the end of the night, we both wanted nothing more than to spend more time getting to know one another.

From that moment on, we were inseparable, falling deep and fast in love with each other. During those first several weeks, in between moments of laughter and comfort, of joy and light, we quickly realized that this relationship was something special. And when saying “I love you” came as easy as breathing, we knew it was a done deal. We had found our forever person.

Over the past five years, our relationship has continued to grow. As did our moments together. If you ask us what our favorite point in the relationship has been, you’ll get anything from moving in together, to adopting our three adorable kitties, to taking vacations, to just the enjoyment of spending every day together. Though, our new favorite moment might be the night Anthony got down on one knee and asked Celeste to spend the rest of their lives together. Or maybe it was when Celeste said yes!

We are beyond excited to have this next incredible moment together, and to share it with our friends and family, when we say “I do” on 5/1/26!

Photos