Nick Snow, a filmmaker who recently relocated from Brooklyn to Chicago, and Roxane Briones, a talented cook hailing from Nicaragua, navigated the modern dating landscape by meeting on the popular dating app, Hinge.
Their first date took an unexpected turn when they each arrived at a different location of the same restaurant, Avec.
Briones went to the River North location, while Snow mistakenly headed to the West Loop branch, leading to a quick phone call and an Uber ride to finally meet up.
“I forgot he is new to the city,” Briones said about the mix-up.
Despite the rocky start, the connection was immediate.
“We hit it off very quick. After our first date, we felt like we were dating for a month. After a week, we felt it was a couple of months,” Snow reminisced.
Now, the couple feels as if they’ve been together for years.
At 31, Briones is currently honing her culinary skills at Proxi, a coastal Asian restaurant in the West Loop, while 40-year-old Snow has dedicated nearly two decades to filmmaking.
His move to Chicago last October was motivated by the rising cost of living in Brooklyn.
“It was time for a change,” Snow stated, emphasizing his desire to explore a new city.
Briones, who had stretched her own wings three years prior, also sought adventure when she moved from Michigan to Chicago.
“I came to Chicago almost three years ago,” she reflected, noting her attraction to the vibrant restaurant scene and the talented individuals she admired.
With nothing but courage, she packed her bags and took a train to her new home, renting an apartment in the Pilsen neighborhood with two roommates who later became her best friends.
The couple’s relationship deepened unintentionally when Snow introduced Briones to snowboarding one February day.
Briones had never been on a snowboard, having grown up in Nicaragua, and Snow took her to a small hill in Naperville, confident that she would be safe.
“She was doing pretty good; she was picking it up, and then she fell forward trying to catch herself and broke her wrist,” said Snow.
To make matters worse, Briones broke her wrist in two places, a significant hurdle for someone whose livelihood depended on her hands.
“She ended up living with me while she was recovering for two months.
In a weird way, that really helped us,” Snow said, noting that their unexpected cohabitation rapid-fire tested their relationship.
“Suddenly, we’re living together and caring for each other. It felt so right. It didn’t feel like a burden,” he elaborated.
On July 26, Snow and Briones took their relationship to the next level and got married at City Hall in Cook County.
Afterward, they celebrated at Lou Mitchell’s, the iconic diner known for its classic American fare, located at the beginning of Route 66.
Interestingly, their visit to the diner coincided with a moment when the writer of this article was at the counter, paying his bill.
“It’s right around the corner from where we live,” Snow explained, admitting that Briones had been craving pancakes.
“We’ve been there a few times and really like that place and the vibe,” he added.
Briones claimed Lou Mitchell’s served as their reception spot.
Audrey Colone, the restaurant manager, remarked how often celebratory moments unfold in her diner.
“It happens all the time,” she said, explaining that guests frequently pop in for pre-wedding meals or to capture lovely memories with photos.
“It’s kind of cool when we see a bride and groom. My staff and I think, ‘Ooh, they just got married and they came here to eat,’” Colone shared.
As for their future, Snow is currently finalizing a feature film titled “Counterfeit,” while Briones is committed to learning everything she can in her culinary career.
“I just want to keep learning,” she stated, acknowledging the richness of Chicago’s culinary diversity.
Looking ahead, she envisions operating a bakery filled with unique flavors that reflect her creativity and passion for cooking.
Whatever paths they choose, this couple is determined to build their life together in Chicago.
“There is nothing like living in Chicago,” Briones reflected on their shared experience.
“I love Chicago,” Snow echoed, noting its similarities to New York while boasting a smaller population.
“It’s a beautiful city.”
“And you found me,” Briones concluded.
“And I found my wife,” Snow responded, solidifying the happy couple’s love story.
image source from：chicago
