Despite two overlapping years at Vanderbilt, it wasn’t in college when Ellie and Kyle met... Kyle had been living in Chicago since his graduation in 2014 and had become friends with a few other Commodores who had also moved to the Windy City, including one of Ellie's best friends, Kelly Bartholomew. One Saturday night in September 2017, Kyle arrived late (as he often does) to a BYOB sushi spot for a dinner with Vandy friends organized by Kelly. Ellie had just moved to Chicago to begin her clinical year of her nurse practitioner program, and she too was invited to Circle Sushi on Halsted and North Ave. Arriving late, luckily for Kyle, provided him the option of strategically pulling up a chair at the table for 12 next to the new blonde he had not yet met...

Shortly following a fun night of average sushi, cheap beer, dancing at the Vig in Old Town, and great company; Kyle took Ellie out on their first date to Barrelhouse Flat, a cocktail bar in Lincoln Park. Over the next several years, we established a routine of Thursday night date nights and Circle Sushi and Barrelhouse Flat remained two of our favorite spots in a city full of amazing bars and restaurants. In the fall of 2022, we made the move to Denver, CO to pursue our dream of Ellie finally living in the mountains and Kyle returning to life in the mountains. We are excited to continue exploring our city and all that it has to offer including skiing, hiking, golfing, fishing, much more family time with the Engelhardts, the Parkers, and now Bridget nearby, and time with new friends and old. As we establish a new life here, we look forward to of course, continuing our “Thursday night date nights” together...

Not long after moving to Denver, we headed to St. Louis for Thanksgiving where Kyle, Tracey, Kelsey and the Condie family pulled off the surprise of a lifetime. As soon as Ellie arrived home, she was met with the most beautiful proposal. Ellie exclaimed "YES" before Kyle even asked the question! We could not be more excited to start our married life together and look forward to celebrating with all of you on August 26th, 2023 and in the months leading up. Love, Ellie and Kyle