A First Date At The Morton Arboretum

For this month's Love In A Small Town feature, we asked Patch readers to tell us the story behind a specific spot in town where they fell in love. For Brittany DeBruin, this spot is the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. Here is her story:

“My boyfriend and I met for the first time at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois two years ago. We had been talking online for over two months but I was so busy with nursing school that we never had time to meet.

Finally, a week after my nursing pinning ceremony, we met up on a cold night in December 2016 to see the Christmas lights display that the Arboretum does yearly. Meeting him at the front doors and seeing his smiling face in the reflection of the twinkling lights made my heart flutter. I’ll never forget that first date.

We made our way around the lake talking and laughing like we were old friends, with no awkwardness or eagerness for it to end. That night we stood in the parking lot for over an hour joking and goofing around like kids. After we said our goodbyes and drove our separate ways, I knew he’d be in my life forever.

He’s my best friend, my life partner, and I’m so glad we were able to meet at the Arboretum that cold night. We’ve gone back many times over the year to have picnics in the summer, watch the leaves change colors, and see the Christmas lights again. I can’t wait to see what events the Arboretum has planned this year, because I know my love and I will be there hand in hand.”

— Brittany DeBruin

See all Patch reader love stories here.

For next month's Love In A Small Town feature, we want to know: Have you ever had a chance encounter with someone that led to love? Email your story to [email protected] for the chance to be featured. Get more details here.