PAUL & MAGS

Paul and Maggie met in February of 2019. We shared our first date at Estereo. We both lived in Logan Square at the time, and quickly realized we had so much in common. We often found ourselves hanging out at Maggie's apartment on Lyndale St., which she shared with three of her best friends at the time. When the pandemic hit, we retreated to Paul's apartment on George St. In the Spring of 2020, Paul purchased a condo, coincidentally also on George St., but in Avondale. Within a year, we were living together with our first dog: a Boston Terrier named George. As of July 2025, we are the proud owners of a house (and yard-for George!) in the Horner Park neighborhood.

After years working as an engineer, Paul decided to go to law school. He spent many long nights studying in our little condo while Maggie graciously supported him along the way, picking up weekend shifts for some extra income. Though these were busy days, they were also the best of times. For three years, we had the luxury of spring, summer, and winter breaks. We were fortunate to have traveled to Naples (Florida), Paris, Hamburg, Berlin, Barcelona, Costa Brava, Florence, and Cinque Terre, where we made unforgettable memories. Weekend trips were spent in Powers Lake, WI, and Saugatuck, MI. In the summer of 2024, Paul, using money awarded to him through law school, purchased a ring. He proposed to Maggie on the beach in Saugatuck the week after taking the bar. 

We want to acknowledge our families and their unwavering love and support for us. We were similarly raised—with love, kindness, honesty, and forgiveness—and it has helped our relationship to thrive. The Lieske and Ansani families both planted their roots in Chicago. So much so, in fact, that we realized our family paths have crossed before. One Thanksgiving, Paul's grandmother, Betty, mentioned an address of theirs on "Odell." It was a serendiputous moment when we learned that Betty and Ted Ansani were raising Paul's father and his siblings next door to Maggie's great-grandparents, Frank and Frieda Lieske. While Maggie never had the opportunity to meet her great-grandparents, Paul's grandparents did. It only made sense for us to celebrate our marriage in the city that has shaped us into who we are today, at a neighborhood music venue where we have seen many bands (including Paul's!) perform over the years.

We are eager to share the celebration of our union with all of you—our dearest family and friends. It is an immensely joyous time for us! Thank you, sincerely, for being a part of it.