Love brought us here.

Our love story began as teens working side-by-side at Delta Sonic, cleaning cars come rain, shine, or freezing cold. Elijah thought Iannelis was a hardworking go-getter, and Iannelis admired Elijah's calm, quiet leadership. Between scrubbing cars, they shared plenty of laughs—mostly trying not to freeze during those brutal winters. One of their first dates? A cozy trip to Lights on the Lake after a long shift, sipping Dunkaccinos (the perfect combo of hot chocolate and coffee) to keep warm. Elijah affectionately nicknamed Iannelis “Rudolph” because her nose was bright red from the cold—but hey, the chilly weather never stopped them from having fun. Then, there was that unforgettable late-night moment in the car after work: Elijah surprised Iannelis with a quick, sweet first kiss—and then, just as quickly, he jumped out before either of them could say a word. These moments were the start of something truly special.

It was a brisk, sunny morning in March—St. Patrick’s Day, to be exact. Iannelis had traveled to Cedarville, Ohio, to celebrate Elijah’s birthday (little did she know, she’d be getting a very unexpected gift of her own). Following a breakfast they shared at a local café, the two of them traveled over to a nearby nature reserve. Elijah led Iannelis onto a scenic bridge overlooking a cascading waterfall. As they admired the view and the sound of rushing water, Elijah told her about a saying: if you look into the waterfall and make a wish, that wish will come true. She wished that the moment would last forever. Elijah was already one step ahead. As she watched the water rush over the rocks again and again, Elijah had gotten onto one knee. Iannelis turned around to see Elijah there on his knees, now gazing up at her. With a few heartfelt words, he asked her to spend forever with him. She gasped, smiled, and immediately said yes! At this, Elijah’s friends, Grant and Wes, who had been hiding in the woods across the water, came out with applause and to take photos. It was a perfectly unexpected, magical moment complete with a waterfall, a wish, and a whole lot of love.

Thank you for walking beside us on this journey. Your love, kindness, and presence mean more than words can express. As we prepare to join our lives together, we feel truly blessed to share this moment and our promises with those we hold most dear. Your support makes this day even more meaningful. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! With all our love, E & I