Love Story- Lily & Alec

November 7th, 2025

Lily & Alec

10.10.2025

THE LOVE STORY OF LILY & ALEC:

Lily and Alec met in 2016 while living in Santa Clara Residence Hall at Loyola University Chicago. On September 1st, 2016, to fulfill his duty as sophomore on the Loyola soccer team, Alec went knocking on resident’s doors in Santa Clara to invite them to Loyola’s annual “Hustle to Hoyne” soccer game. From that moment on, Alec spent plenty of time making his way from the seventh floor down to the second floor to spend time with Lily and her roommates. Loyola’s Santa Clara Residence Hall is the closest building to Lake Michigan in all of Chicago, making it the perfect place to watch waves on the large rocks next to the building. Alec and Lily spent plenty of time together sitting on the rocks, chatting about life and sharing stories and experiences.  

By the end of the 2016-2017 school year, Alec finally made it out of the friend zone, and Lily finally admitted she had a crush on her “friend.” In 2017, Lily and Alec began dating. It wasn’t until after the two started dating that they realized where their love story began- on a large rock in front of Lake Michigan with the phrase, “If love is real, it’s looking at you,” spray painted on it. During Alec and Lily’s seven year relationship, they experienced some of life’s biggest moments in the best way— together. From graduating college, navigating the challenges of adulthood, moving into their first apartment together, adopting their adorable baby/dog Remi, to buying a home together, Lily and Alec have only laid the foundation for a beautiful life together.

After 7 years together, Alec finally popped the question during a weekend getaway trip to New Buffalo, Michigan in March 2024 with a beautiful custom ring from James & Sons. Lily and Alec made it official on October 10th, 2025 at The Morton Arboretum surrounded by a beautiful landscape and their closest family and friends.

THE RING DETAILS:

Gracie from our Naperville location helped Alec find the perfect rings for Lily!

Her Ring: A Beautiful Round Diamond set on a Custom James & Sons Criss Cross Diamond Pave band. Her stunning enaggement ring is paired with a Fana Raindrop Diamond Wedding Band.

"Alec visited James & Sons in January 2024 with Lily’s sisters, Jess and Maddie. Gracie was exceptional, and helped design the perfect custom ring for Lily."