"why don't we go somewhere only we know?"

"Look how many plants I have!" Yes, Monica and Eli started their conversations on the dating app, Her, talking about plants. In October 2021, Eli challenged Monica to a friendly round of bowling that he did eventually win (and Monica is convinced he hustled her). However, no matter how the game went, the two walked out of the date with the promise of another date. When it came time to make things official, it wasn't the dozens of plants or books that made it so, it was a carefully crafted Spotify playlist that Monica had made. Each song came from a movie they watched or had heard on a date. Just as "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend" by girl in red started on the car speakers, Eli asked Monica to be his girlfriend. The song choice on her end was perfect timing. Since then, their Spotify playlist has been an ongoing time capsule of their 4 year relationship (and is still going). A specific genre or label can't be put on their playlist (they've got Life is a Highway and I Really Like You, not much to say). But then again, they can't give a clear theme on their relationship either except that it's theirs. When Eli decided he wanted to propose, he had to be organized about it - Monica was not one for surprises. On their trip to Washington where they could live out their favorite Twilight moments and sites, Eli and Monica went on a hike in the Hoh Rainforest. While the weather wasn't on their side (it was raining, naturally), they looked for vampires, werewolves, and of course, really cool rocks. Eli pulled Monica off the path, telling her that he wanted to re-enact a pose from Twilight for the camera. As the timer started, Eli dropped down to one knee. Passerby definitely heard Monica shout "No, you're joking!" Eli laughed because he wasn't joking. He said "To quote a famous book, I am irrevocably in love with you." Their clothes were muddy and soaked, and some nearby hikers cheered when Monica said yes. Since then, Monica found her own way of proposing to Eli (a definitely realistic painting of him) and gave him a watch he'd been saving on his Pinterest board for years. They're still collecting plants and books, their jokes about their someday wedding are now a reality, and they can't wait to show everyone their playlist.