Aisha Buford-Morrison and Terrell Johnson, a South Chicago couple, began 2025 in a most extraordinary way: as the first married couple in Cook County. Winning a lottery organized by Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon, they exchanged vows on Thursday, January 2nd, in a ceremony at the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building. More than 200 couples entered the contest for the coveted title and accompanying prizes.
Their journey began in 2019 on Tinder. After a month-long wait, their first date proved pivotal. “When I seen her, time stopped,” Johnson, 28, recalled. Buford-Morrison, 26, described her first date ever as nerve-wracking initially, but the apprehension soon melted away. They bonded over video games like Grand Theft Auto and Mario Kart, and shared a love for anime. Their connection deepened, leading to walks and bike rides on the beach, and a mutual feeling of personal growth.
Johnson’s proposal, originally planned for their third anniversary in August 2022, was delayed due to the passing of Buford-Morrison’s grandmother. He finally proposed the following August, on the anniversary of their first date, in the same park where they first met. They had initially planned a May wedding, unaware of the lottery win. The unexpected opportunity to be Cook County’s first couple of 2025 brought a whirlwind of excitement and last-minute preparations.
The couple’s families were equally surprised by the news. Buford-Morrison’s mother, Pat Morrison, initially responded with disbelief, while Johnson’s mother, Toyothy Whitfield, was asleep after a night shift when the winning call arrived. Both mothers expressed overwhelming joy and pride at their children’s union. David Morrison, Buford-Morrison’s father, beamed with emotion, describing the event as heartwarming.
The ceremony was a joyous occasion filled with kisses, photos, and the display of their wedding rings to family and friends. In addition to the honor of being the first couple married in Cook County in 2025, they received various prizes from sponsors, including cooking lessons, wedding dance lessons, and comedy show tickets. The couple now plans a larger reception for friends and family later in the year, along with their much-anticipated honeymoon. Their unexpected start to 2025 has undoubtedly made it a year they will never forget.