Elisa and Cole’s story technically started before they ever met — they just didn’t know it yet. While attending Northern Arizona University, they unknowingly lived in the same dorm and even used the same bus stop to get to campus. Somehow, despite all that, they never actually met. Apparently the universe needed a little more time before finally getting it right. We were eventually introduced through mutual friends, and from the moment we met something just clicked. Elisa made the first move and texted Cole first (bold, we know — but worth it). We officially started dating in August 2019, and our first date was dinner at Oregano’s followed by bowling — a combination we loved so much that it’s still our go-to date night today. Not long after we started dating, the world shut down. Like many couples at the time, we had to get to know each other over FaceTime for a while — a very romantic start courtesy of 2020. When we were finally able to go on our first proper date, masks were required… not exactly how we imagined the beginning of our love story. Soon after, Elisa moved to Florida for nursing school, and we spent 18 months navigating long distance before she returned to Phoenix immediately after graduation. The distance wasn’t always easy, but it made us stronger and even more certain we had found the right person in each other. In February 2025, Cole planned the moment that would change everything. He brought Elisa to Ashley Castle under the excuse that our friend Madisen wanted to photograph us for her photography business. Elisa had absolutely no idea what was coming. At one point Elisa turned around — and Cole was down on one knee. Today we live together in Arizona and are loving every minute of building our life side by side. Elisa is now a Registered Nurse at Banner Health, and Cole is a Manager at Culinary Dropout. When we’re not working, you can usually find us back at Oregano’s and the bowling alley reliving our very first date. We can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter of our story with all of you.