A Chicago Proposal with a QR Code and Sparkling Rosé
When Kacie (she/her) set out to surprise Anna (she/her), she had one goal: repay the unforgettable moment when Anna secretly flew across the country to see her. What followed was a carefully orchestrated proposal involving a Greyhound bus, a QR code, a bottle of sparkling rosé, and the Chicago wine bar where they’d realized ordinary Mondays could become some of life’s most meaningful memories.
Their engagement was more than a surprise. It was another chapter in a love story built on choosing each other through life’s highs and lows. After meeting as upstairs and downstairs neighbours, moving in together just months later, and supporting one another through chronic illness, grief, and major life changes, Kacie and Anna have discovered that the best part of life is simply sharing it together.
How did you two meet?
Kacie: In the year after grad school, I spent nearly all my free time in Logan Square, at my best friends’ apartment, a basement unit in a historic walk up. One day, the second floor window slid open, and a delicate girl with a buzzcut climbed out. She yelled down, introducing herself as Anna, the new upstairs neighbor, and asked if she could join us. I remember most the radiance of her smile, how genuine and infectious it was.
Another night soon after, at our favorite dive bar, Bob Inn, we gravitated away from the larger friend group to chat, just us two. Neither of us was particularly subtle about our interest, but it was then, over the crack of billiard balls and TouchTunes honky tonk music, that we really started getting to know each other. And frankly, I was a goner.
After only two or three more dates, we were smitten, but I was going home to my family in Tennessee. Anna later flew in to surprise me and meet my family, and not long after, I returned to Chicago, where Anna had just received an eviction notice. Although unfortunate, the timing seemed divine. We’d only been together a month or two, but took up the proud mantle of U Haul lesbians and moved in together. Everything since, becoming part of each other’s families, moving between Anna’s hometown of Chicago and mine in East Tennessee, and everything in between, is history. Life isn’t any less painful, scary, or hard, but being together makes it all so much lighter.
Why did Lardon become the perfect place to propose?
It was a Monday in Chicago. A balmy, powder blue August. Anna and I had recently moved in together. Our new apartment was down the street from Lardon. Bistro style, with black and white tiles and a patio strung with Edison bulbs, its warmly lit windows always beckoned when we walked by, and we decided not to wait any longer to try it out.
Turns out Mondays are half price bottles of wine. We sat outside as evening fell and shared a bottle of sparkling rosé. Just us, just talking.
We walked home together, tipsy, petting stray cats along the way. We were so excited to return to our cozy apartment and just be together. I knew then I had found the kind of evergreen, once in a lifetime love my parents had shared, the kind that makes mundane Mondays special.
So, how did the surprise proposal actually happen?
Anna and I had already discussed getting engaged, talked about what kind of rings we wanted, and even somewhat picked them out together. In October, while I was away visiting family, Anna told me she was going to propose on a specific day in November. She told me when, but not where, and no details. I had never gotten my payback for the time she’d surprised me by coming to Tennessee, so I thought, well, now’s my chance.
So I began to weave some harmless, but very convincing, lies. I disabled my location services, secretly caught a Greyhound bus back to Chicago, and let Anna believe I was still states away. She thought she was meeting her friend Krys at Lardon, not knowing Krys had helped orchestrate my plan. Our newlywed friends, Ceci and Konrad, came along to photograph the surprise.
When I arrived, I asked the man working to deliver a card and a bottle of sparkling rosé to Anna’s table. The card contained only a QR code to a video montage I made of everyday moments in our life together. I watched through the window as she scanned the code and finished the video. Then I walked out, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry me. I am thankful every day that she said yes.
What was going through your mind in that moment?
I was buzzing! I never dreamed my surprise would go off without a hitch. I just wanted to try and repay Anna for the marvelous surprise she’d once given me.
At the end of the day, all we both cared about was getting to be each other’s fiancées.
How did you find rings that felt like you?
We shopped together. Neither of us wanted to spend a fortune on rings. We just wanted something unique and sentimental that brought us joy.
Early on in our relationship, we discovered that we’d both always dreamed of having sapphire and gold colour themes for a wedding, one of many odd coincidences, so we leaned into that and picked out rings with blue stones.
Anna wanted something minimalist and timeless, but colourful and bold. I wanted something ornate that gave off vintage, “Russian princess” vibes. We were lucky to find the perfect rings through Yvbard Jewelry and Golden Xanadu Jewelry, then worked with each seller to personalize the designs and finalize the details.
We love them.
What has getting engaged meant for the two of you?
Life doesn’t seem very keen on giving Anna or me a break. The last few years have been riddled with challenges for both of us, from battles with chronic and autoimmune illnesses to losing loved ones to cancer and overdose, or the trials and tribulations of modern day lesbianism. For me, that included cultural persecution and a traumazing relationship. For Anna, it meant ending a straight engagement and coming out “late” in her mid twenties. Amongst many other battles, like everyone is quietly facing all the time.
But everything feels so much more manageable together. Life feels so much less scary. Everything is a hundred times easier for being shared with one another.
When I lay down next to Anna at the end of the day and wrap my arms around her, I just feel lucky. I feel blessed. And, most of all, I feel safe.
What are you dreaming up for your wedding?
We plan to get married in January 2027, but our plans are still incredibly loose. We want a casual and intimate wedding, ideally renting a large house or a handful of cabins or Airbnbs for a long weekend so all of our loved ones can celebrate together. We’re still deciding between the Smokies, Lake Michigan, an East Coast beach, or the mountains of Colorado.
We’ll keep decorations minimal and DIY whatever we can, so we can put most of our money towards food (I’m currently campaigning for Waffle House), booze, and accommodations. The goal is to make the wedding as low stress as possible for everyone involved, especially us.
That said, aesthetically we’re aiming for a “lesbian Phantom of the Opera” vibe, so… we’ll see how it all turns out.
What made your engagement photos so special?
Honestly, when Ceci and Konrad offered to come along and take pictures, I thought Konrad would be bringing his iPhone. I had no idea he even owned a professional camera, let alone was so talented. Now, I’m shocked that Konrad doesn’t do photography for work!
Our experience was fantastic. Having two of our closest friends along meant the world to us, as does their constant love, support, and enthusiasm. These photos capture one of our most special moments, and they’re something we will treasure forever.
How are you keeping wedding planning organised?
Anna and I are both very organized people. Well… scratch that. Anna is a very organized person.
Right now we’re in the ideation stage, so we mostly have a Pinterest board. I also have a board in Milanote, my favourite, with some further details like our guest list and potential Airbnb options.
I’m a big fan of spreadsheets, but I also defer to my organizational queen on these matters.
Photographer Konrad Pietka
Hair Stylist Claudia Halina
Rings Golden Xanadu Jewelry, Yvbard Jewelry & Brennmore Jewelry
Venue Lardon
