Tracie & Paul in Schaumburg, IL

A business trip definitely paid off when Tracie flew from her Chicago office to Miami to coordinate an event. On the cruise ship where the event took place was where she met Paul, who worked for the same firm but in Florida. “From the very first day, he was a huge help to me!” she remembers. Paul’s good nature made an impression on Tracie, and when she was soon offered a job in the Miami division, knowing Paul was there, she jumped on the opportunity. By the time her transfer actually went through, the two had already become good friends via email. The Bride Tracie Mitchel, graduate student The Groom Paul Embi, accountant The Date December 31 Paul later proposed to Tracie at home. “It was sweet and simple, just between the two of us,” she remembers. He’d actually considered more elaborate plans, but when he found out Tracie’s parents would soon be visiting he popped the question so they’d all be able to celebrate together. Tracie soon began planning their Illinois wedding -- with lots of help from TheKnot.com. “I was online so much, I became good friends with several women I met on the Chicago message board,” Tracie says. “They came to my wedding and we’re still in touch today!”