In the fall of freshman year, we hung out in the same big friend group, not paying much mind to each other. (Ben actually needed photographic evidence of this night because he didn't remember Ella being there!)

Before Christmas break, we went on a speed-run of four festive dates. Ella spent all of break in turmoil over whether she truly liked-liked Ben. (She realized, DUH, yes.) We officially started dating on January 15th, 2023.

Our first friend group trip to the Oregon Coast started wonderfully! ...And ended with Ben coming home with a shattered ankle due to a rainy day skim board accident. (Don't worry, we returned later and Ben made amends with the Pacific.)

To celebrate our 6 month anniversary in the middle of a long-distance summer, Ben totally surprised Ella by flying out for the weekend!

Our first TWIRP (NNU's "The Woman Is Required to Pay") event! We loved showing off the costumes Ella made based on a classic elementary computer game. Iykyk ;)

Our first anniversary! We had a lovely evening pretending that we're fancy people and eating yummy steak.

Our first trip to Illinois! It was so sweet to spend time with Ben's family, and it felt surreal to explore Chicago just the two of us.

Ben is Ella's Music Man :) She loved going to every single one of his choir concerts and cheering him on when he decided to join the musical.

Our first concert, with definitely many more to come! Ben said that he fell even more in love with Ella while watching her sing and dance to Thomas Rhett.

One of our final college hurrahs, our last Black Tie (NNU's spring formal). We love dancing the night away together!

It is such a blessing to serve together in the same ministry. We love leading the next generation in Rockharbor's youth group!

AHHHHHH. Ben pulled off the most epic surprise proposal ever! We celebrated with a little picnic, a surprise party, and multiple hours of Ella peppering Ben with questions.