We met on July 3, 2008 at Sidetracks, one of the biggest bars in Boystown here in Chicago. Tim was studying law at Northwestern at the time, while Patryk worked for the City of Chicago. It also turned out that we lived a block away from each other.
We wound up spending almost every day together. However, a couple months later, Tim left the country to spend his last year of studies in Paris. But despite the distance, we talked online every day and saw each other when Tim returned for the holidays. Patryk also went to France for spring break.
After Tim returned state-side and passed the Bar Exam, we rented an apartment in Logan Square where we lived together for 5 years. (Lillet Blanc, our adorable cat / fur monster joined the family in 2012.) One of our favorite summer activities was to have dinner outside our home in the front yard. That is how, a little over two years ago, Tim proposed to Pat - kneeling down in the driveway and presenting him with a beautiful vintage watch.
And that brings us to the wedding. Much more has happened in our lives and each of you has been there for at least a part of it. We are so grateful for all the good in our lives, and wonderful friends and family like you.
One last thing. As part of the wedding we're going to be changing our last names to a combination of Carraher and Piwinski - Carwinski!