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On June 1st, 2018 Mackenzie and I were married in Chicago. The night we met, I described to her how lucky I was to be studying abroad in southern Ireland at University College Cork for my Junior year. Over the next five months of our relationship, the idea of being apart so long weighed heavily on us. But we realized this opportunity did not have to be the end, and we got married so our time apart would not be spent in regret or anticipation.
Our Story. Mackenzie and I met in January at a rooftop bar in Chicago, having been introduced through mutual friends. We got to talking about our shared passions for art. I showed her my digital Photoshop pieces, and she described to me an ambitious charcoal drawing series she was working on. She also explained her impressive skills in sewing and knitting. Immediately, I was captivated by her unique talents and beauty.
As I got to know her better, I discovered her love of nature and animals (especially horses), and that she is studying Environmental Policy and Painting at Loyola University. I myself am studying Computer Science at DePaul University, which is also located along the 'L' train on the Red Line. Although our passions beyond artwork appeared to be different on the surface, we soon realized our incredible compatibility in our core beliefs and personalities. We are both mature and passionate people with strong convictions, a powerful love for each other, our families, and for God. We have complimentary skill sets and strikingly aligning preferences, and drive each other to become the best versions of ourselves. After realizing the depth of our love and compatibility, we knew marriage was right for us. As soon as we realized that we both wanted it, we wasted no time filling out a preliminary application for a marriage license, and were married barely two weeks later. Each step in our relationship, we knew in our hearts we were meant to be together, and would drive each other to much greater heights than would ever be possible alone.
We also came to see my experience abroad as an incredible opportunity to share our Christmas breaks together in Europe! Both of us have a great love of travel, instilled in us by our parents. As you may know, my parents met while studying abroad and have greatly valued traveling the world ever since. Mackenzie and I will do the same, traveling all across the country and the world. What better way to begin this tradition than sharing our Honeymoon in Europe for three weeks!
During the rest of our time apart, Mackenzie will be working towards completing her degrees at Loyola, and begin working as a veterinarian's assistant. In June, we will be moving in together in a studio apartment in Chicago along the Red Line train track, which we will both use to get to class and to work. We are incredibly excited to move in together, but will use our time apart as a period of self improvement and self reflection, and both focus on improving our relationship with God.
Our plan: Between December 22nd - January 13th Mackenzie and I will (with your support!) travel around Europe, focusing primarily on Germany, Italy and France. The information below is based on Rick Steve's 'Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour,' and should serve as a loose guideline for our honeymoon together! My parents have generously offered to pay for our plane tickets round-trip.
21 Days
$2100
$100/ Day
Day 1: Welcome to the Netherlands
Day 2: Progressive, Artistic Amsterdam
Day 3: Dutch Treats and Rhine Views
Day 4: Rhine Castles and a River Cruise
Day 5: Medieval Rothenburg
Day 6: Dachau and Austria's Tirol
Day 7: Neuschwanstein and a Luge
Day 8: Italy's Incomparable Venice
Day 9: The Art of Wandering in Venice
Day 10: Florence and Michelangelo's David
Day 11: Wonders of Renaissance Florence
Day 12: St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums
Day 13: A Walk Through Caesar's Rome
Day 14: To Italy's Cinque Terre
Day 15: Free Day in the Cinque Terre
Day 16: To the Heart of the Swiss Alps
Day 17: Free Day in the Alps
Day 18: A Hearty Taste of Burgundy
Day 19: Historic and Neighborhood Paris
Day 20: Parisian Cityscapes and Masterpieces
Day 21: Tour Over After Breakfast
Thank you again for your generous support! We will post pictures as we travel around Europe!
Our Story. Mackenzie and I met in January at a rooftop bar in Chicago, having been introduced through mutual friends. We got to talking about our shared passions for art. I showed her my digital Photoshop pieces, and she described to me an ambitious charcoal drawing series she was working on. She also explained her impressive skills in sewing and knitting. Immediately, I was captivated by her unique talents and beauty.
As I got to know her better, I discovered her love of nature and animals (especially horses), and that she is studying Environmental Policy and Painting at Loyola University. I myself am studying Computer Science at DePaul University, which is also located along the 'L' train on the Red Line. Although our passions beyond artwork appeared to be different on the surface, we soon realized our incredible compatibility in our core beliefs and personalities. We are both mature and passionate people with strong convictions, a powerful love for each other, our families, and for God. We have complimentary skill sets and strikingly aligning preferences, and drive each other to become the best versions of ourselves. After realizing the depth of our love and compatibility, we knew marriage was right for us. As soon as we realized that we both wanted it, we wasted no time filling out a preliminary application for a marriage license, and were married barely two weeks later. Each step in our relationship, we knew in our hearts we were meant to be together, and would drive each other to much greater heights than would ever be possible alone.
We also came to see my experience abroad as an incredible opportunity to share our Christmas breaks together in Europe! Both of us have a great love of travel, instilled in us by our parents. As you may know, my parents met while studying abroad and have greatly valued traveling the world ever since. Mackenzie and I will do the same, traveling all across the country and the world. What better way to begin this tradition than sharing our Honeymoon in Europe for three weeks!
During the rest of our time apart, Mackenzie will be working towards completing her degrees at Loyola, and begin working as a veterinarian's assistant. In June, we will be moving in together in a studio apartment in Chicago along the Red Line train track, which we will both use to get to class and to work. We are incredibly excited to move in together, but will use our time apart as a period of self improvement and self reflection, and both focus on improving our relationship with God.
Our plan: Between December 22nd - January 13th Mackenzie and I will (with your support!) travel around Europe, focusing primarily on Germany, Italy and France. The information below is based on Rick Steve's 'Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour,' and should serve as a loose guideline for our honeymoon together! My parents have generously offered to pay for our plane tickets round-trip.
21 Days
$2100
$100/ Day
Day 1: Welcome to the Netherlands
Day 2: Progressive, Artistic Amsterdam
Day 3: Dutch Treats and Rhine Views
Day 4: Rhine Castles and a River Cruise
Day 5: Medieval Rothenburg
Day 6: Dachau and Austria's Tirol
Day 7: Neuschwanstein and a Luge
Day 8: Italy's Incomparable Venice
Day 9: The Art of Wandering in Venice
Day 10: Florence and Michelangelo's David
Day 11: Wonders of Renaissance Florence
Day 12: St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums
Day 13: A Walk Through Caesar's Rome
Day 14: To Italy's Cinque Terre
Day 15: Free Day in the Cinque Terre
Day 16: To the Heart of the Swiss Alps
Day 17: Free Day in the Alps
Day 18: A Hearty Taste of Burgundy
Day 19: Historic and Neighborhood Paris
Day 20: Parisian Cityscapes and Masterpieces
Day 21: Tour Over After Breakfast
Thank you again for your generous support! We will post pictures as we travel around Europe!
Organiser
Tom Leamon
Organiser
Bay Village, OH