Our Story

This is one of those fairytale stories with crossed paths and coincidences too big to be ignored. Their paths first began to cross when Erin and Gary both attended the University of Iowa. They held similar groups of friends, visited the same bars, Erin even attended one of Gary’s house parties, however they never met and were never introduced. It wouldn’t be until months after graduation that they would finally be introduced at a night out with a couple of mutual friends. Quick drinks at Rock It Bar and Grill would be the first of many social gatherings between the two.

6 months later Erin began to make it out and about in Chicago more often. Discussions during a game night at Kevin and Justin’s apartment led Erin and Gary to hanging out more. It just so happened that Gary’s home was only 10 minutes away from Erin’s work which made it the perfect stopping grounds to hang out after work and on the weekends. Erin impressed Gary with her cooking and comforting skills. Erin was amazed by Gary’s fashion sense, computer knowledge, and support. Social hangouts quickly turned to long emails and late night phone calls. They started going out to dinner and shopping without the buffers of the group. It wasn’t until one night after going to dinner when Gary asked Erin (knowing fair well the answer) “Do you want to be boyfriend/girlfriend?” Erin after a moment responded “Are you asking me to go steady? Of course!” And hence began the official Erin and Gary relationship.

Gary was in with the family before he even had to meet them. See his middle name is Allen and it just so happens that Erin’s grandfather happens to be Gary Allen Roberts. With a name like that it has to be good. The families’ similarities grew more and more as Erin and Gary talked. Jeff and Molly Roberts (Erin’s Parents) and Gary and Susan (Gary’s Parents) were married on the same day, the same year only hours apart.

Two years into their official relationship on New Year’s Eve, Gary had a surprise for Erin. After an evening of serving dinner to the homeless there was a surprise setup at home. Gary had known since his trip to Costa Rica that summer that he would be proposing to Erin and it was just a matter of figuring out how. Only three people knew (Iman – Best-man , Gary Sr. – Dad, and of course Erin’s Dad Jeff) and even in the face of “when are you getting married?” questions at every family holiday gathering, he kept his poker face and made sure Erin would be the next to know.

As you can see on the videos page he had some help setting up the perfect night. Candles, music, roses, champagne and true love made for the ultimate surprise. Gary proposed to Erin with a New Years Resolution to spend the rest of his life with her. We now invite you to join into the celebration of love as Gary and Erin enter into a lifetime of matrimony.

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