First Date

Geoff wanted an easy date to remember [hey, you never know!] so he suggested meeting up for the first time on Sunday January 11 [1/11] 2009. At the time, Geoff was still living car-free at Irving Park Road & Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Cassie was little more mobile, living just off of I-88 in Naperville. So they set the date at the West Egg Cafe in downtown Chicago.

On the bus ride down, Geoff's mom called him, and found out that he was wearing the nice overcoat and scarf he had received for Christmas. This made her very suspicious something special was going on, but Geoff didn't tell her that he was out on a date until later.

Cassie & Geoff got a table despite the crowd, and hit it off pretty well. Who doesn't love brunch? They decided to extend the date and Geoff suggested the Signature Lounge at the top of the nearby 96-story Hancock Center - a great date location that Cassie had never visited before. They lucked out with seats on the windows facing west and ordered some hot chocolate. They talked for a couple of hours, discussing Notre Dame, studying abroad in Europe and their families. Geoff had also heard about the lovely view from the windows in the women's restroom - so Cassie had to go and take a look herself. When she was gone, Geoff quietly paid for their drinks.

Geoff walked her to the parking garage, and caught another bus home. When Cassie walked into the parking garage, she was smiling so big that the parking attendant asked why she was so happy... a great first date!



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How We Met

ND group photo at Becky & Andy's wedding

Although Cassie & Geoff had been in the same Class at Notre Dame for 4 years [and Geoff stayed an extra year], it wasn't until a wedding of mutual ND friends that they met in Vermont. They often wonder if their paths had crossed on campus without them knowing it...

Cassie knew Becky Walter well after spending 2 years in Louisiana as Teach for America roommates. They taught at the same rural middle school, even co-teaching an art class. During that time Cassie had gotten to know Andy as well.

Geoff knew Andy Proulx from being in the same dorm [O'Neill] at Notre Dame, and having founded the official Notre Dame Mystery Science Theater 3000 Club in 2001. Geoff isn't one to pass up a travel opportunity, so when he got the invite to Andy's wedding in Burlington, VT Geoff decided "Why not?"

On Friday, January 2, 2009, Geoff & Cassie met for the first time at the rehearsal for Becky & Andy's wedding [Cassie was doing a reading, Geoff was bearing gifts].  Cassie initially thought Geoff was another member of the wedding party, but was surprised to hear he was from Chicago. Geoff was even more surprised to hear that Cassie lived out in Naperville, where he had grown up.

Later on at the rehearsal dinner/bowling Cassie asked Becky if she knew whether or not Geoff was "available". Becky immediately yelled over to Andy to ask the same. He said he thought Geoff was single. Cassie made sure to bum a ride off of Geoff back to the hotel that night [and Geoff remembers being embarrassed after running a red light with Cassie in the car].

Cassie & Geoff danced the following night away at Becky & Andy's wedding reception, and before she left the elevator for her hotel room, Geoff snagged her business card and inquired about connecting via Facebook within the next few days. Cassie said sure, and that was that. Cassie and Geoff 'friended' shortly thereafter, and set their first date: 1/11/2009.

Cas & Geoff dancing on 1/3/2009... they love to sing too!