Our Story
It started with Hello
1
In 2015, on the way to Donner, Eliza was demoted to the back seat by a guy with a joyful smile and curly hair sticking out from his bucket hat. She didn’t mind too much as she leaned forward the entire drive, drawn into their conversation. He invited her to a party later that night and they stayed up until dawn talking about life. From there a friendship grew. One of laughter, dancing, deep conversations, and butterflies whenever he was nearby. It is safe to say that as much as she protested they were "just friends" Eliza had a pretty big crush on Ryley. A few months later, on a cramped staircase in the frisbee house, Eliza finally gathered the courage to tell Ryley how she felt. Sure he wouldn’t have anything to say in response she got up to leave- only for him to reach out, “Don’t I get to say something too?” Turns out she hadn’t been the only one.
An Ocean Apart
2
In the summer of 2017, after a year and a half of love, laughter, and frisbee house shenanigans Eliza took off for a USAC year abroad leaving Ryley and ending their relationship. Later that fall Ryley got a chaotic phone call. After starting an oil fire in her apartment, getting second degree burns, and slipping on wet tile, Eliza, gasping on the floor, had realized he was the only person that she wanted to talk to. And they continued talking. First occasionally, then nearly every day until he flew to her town as the semester ended. With just their backpacks and train passes they explored Europe for 2 months basking in the sun, the cultures, and each others company. They flew back to the United States in love, but not certain what their future held as Ryley prepared to move to San Diego for his PhD.
Quaran-dise
3
In the spring of 2020 Ryley invited Eliza to stay a few days after a track meet in the paradise of San Diego. When the meet was cancelled due to the onset of Covid-19 they decided she would fly down anyway and spend some time there until it was safe to fly back. After all, it would only last a few weeks, right? It was not a few weeks. It was six months. Together, though, they made quarantine enjoyable. While they social distanced, enjoyed Miyazaki movie marathons, and took long sunset strolls on the beach, they playfully nicknamed San Diego "Quaran-dise". When the time came for Eliza to return to Reno to finish her master's they decided that she would move down to their little cove when her time at the University was done.
A Place by the Sea
4
And so she did. San Diego, and their little apartment by the sea, became home. They made friends, went on road trips, and enjoyed many celebrations. By the time Ryley was putting the finishing touches on his PhD dissertation they realized it wasn’t only San Diego that had become home - it was each other. On one windy evening, as they strolled along their favorite sunset-lit beach, they happened across a string quartet. While musicians often took residence at Windansea Beach, the music had yet to draw a crowd. When it reached Eliza’s ears she looked up at Ryley and burst into tears. They were playing her favorite songs and she knew that this was no coincidence. After months of planning and working hard to keep it a secret Ryley got down on one knee and proposed. Of course Eliza said yes. The surprises were far from over. Family and friends from many miles away had been secretly waiting and appeared from around the corner to celebrate with them. Roses, champagne, and music were enjoyed as the sun went down. A wonderful dinner full of laughter and conversation was enjoyed by all at their favorite dinner spot afterwards.
The Adventure Continues
5
One month later Eliza and Ryley moved from San Diego to Los Alamos, New Mexico. We have been settling in and finding our footing back in a mountain town. We are so excited to take the next steps of our lives together, including celebrating our marriage with all of our closest friends and family. Thank you everyone for your love and support to get us where we are today. We hope to see you in June 2025!