There are differing accounts of how Scott and Maddie first met. According to Scott, he was workshopping a very hilarious t-shirt for his college dorm-mates and asked Maddie if she liked the design. According to Maddie, she saved a batch of brownies that Scott was burning in the dormitory kitchen. Either way, four years at Northwestern, one dog, many late night slices of pizza, and one sparkling diamond ring later, here we are.
THE GROOM
Scott was born in a drawer. Well, not exactly in the drawer, but in the hero's tale of Scott's life, it feels fitting that some of his first nights in an idyllic Greenwich Village studio were spent snuggled up in a dresser drawer. He grew out of the tiny bed, and up with New York City parks as his backyard, spending afternoons playing baseball, exploring museums, and buttering up his favorite pizza guy. He traded folded slices for deep dish, attending Northwestern, where he studied Radio, Television, Film, and the art of doing 75 extracurriculars while still passing your classes. He broke records in the Dance Marathon tent, rose early and often for Sigma Chi tailgates, and landed a job months before any of us. After one year in the Windy City, Scott found his way home and into his dream job: working for the City's Department of Parks and Recreation. A grown-up kid in the best possible way, Scott loves pizza (with pepperoni and green peppers), naps (on the couch, at any hour), and his puppy Slider -- combined, if possible. He's really, really great.
THE BRIDE
Maddie's heart shines through her ever-present smile. Whether she's organizing a cheese board for her book club, slinging copy at work, or snuggled up with a big ol' glass of wine on the couch, Maddie's infectious calm brings all the joy and comfort of home no matter the circumstance. Born and raised in Seattle, she wailed on the sax in jazz band, set, served, and spiked on the volleyball team (go Bulldogs!), and edited the high school newspaper... but her eyes were always set on New York City. So the day after graduating from Northwestern, she hopped in a cab and settled down in NYC, just like her childhood heroes -- Eloise and Lyle the Crocodile. She always seems surrounded by her friends and is quite content with any plan that involved seeing the people she loves (but the following items do not hurt: jazz, Thai food, The Bachelor, anything related to Christmas, or chocolate.) She's alright.
Our Story
FRESHMEN, FRESH LOVE
Scott and Maddie first met -- it may have been over a T-shirt, it may have been burnt brownies. Scott asked Maddie out on a mysterious first date, which turned out to be Thai food in downtown Evanston. They dated for three life-changing months, but Maddie broke up with Scott faster than she could drop her bid at Tridelta. (What a mistake!)
SCOTT + MADDIE, THE SEQUEL
Senior year, Maddie bumped into Scott while he was out on a run and there was a twinkle in her eye. Needing an approval from Scott for a sorority function, she reached out and they ended up chatting about their lives since freshmen year. Scott invited Maddie to a Halloween party where they reconnected -- Scott as a freshman (unintentionally romantic) and Maddie as Luigi (not really that romantic).
A NEW YORK LOVE STORY
While Maddie moved to New York right after college, Scott stayed behind in Evanston for a job. Finally, 15 months later, Scott followed Maddie to NYC. A year later, they settled in a studio apartment in Brooklyn. Scott showed Maddie all of his favorite childhood haunts (the MTA Transit Museum!) and Maddie showed Scott her new discoveries (Carl Schurz Park!) They continued to explore Brooklyn together and even traded up for a one-bedroom apartment (with a real wall!).
A NEW ROOMMATE SLIDES HOME
With all the newfound space in their fancy *one-bedroom* apartment, a puppy moved in with Scott and Maddie. Slider (a.k.a. @Slider_Pup) quickly made himself at home and proved to be extremely compatable with the rest of the family -- he loves naps, is happiest running around parks, and barks until you give him a hug. He has quickly become the most beloved Ritter-Boardman amongst our friends.
FINALLY
Following a massive mid-day "Steak for Two" at Peter Luger's, Scott whisked Maddie away to Washington Square Park where he got down on a knee. She said yes! Phew.