They attended the University of Michigan together … mingling with similar groups of friends. However they went almost four full years without ever meeting. Until that one special week happened. Spring break – 2008.

Aboard a cruise with about 100 other wolverines, the two finally crossed paths. Dan and Erin starting talking one night. Dan, an Italian from Long Island, learned that Erin spoke Italian. It was then … she had his heart.

So it only seemed right that Dan would pop the big question in no where but Italy.  He had it all planned out. He thought of every detail … and I mean every detail … even if the ring would trigger the metal detector at the airport (why did this never cross my mind until, Dan told me?!). The Italians got in the way from plan A …. but plan B … still makes me swoon. He proposed at the top of the beautiful Spanish steps in Rome at Trinita dei Monti …. sigh. Um can it get any more romantic?!

I spent a ridiculously warm December morning wandering around Chicago with Erin and Dan. We hit up all the spots – the ‘L’, the Art Institute Gardens, the Bean, Millennium Park, Wrigley Building and Michigan Ave.

Along the way, I saw first hand how adorable these two are. I am in love with their love.  They can laugh at one another one moment, and then be caught in a sweet moment of just smiling at each other adoringly.

Erin + Dan – It meant so much to me that you let me enter your lives for a brief moment to capture your engagement for you. I know that your years ahead with be full of love, romance and laughter. I wish you both all the best!

To see MUCH more of their Chicago engagement session, please watch their slideshow below.