Back in their senior year of high school (pre-beard and glasses), John and Elise decided to take a chance and go to homecoming together. After years of friendship their bond had grown, so they decided to test things out in the time-honored tradition of a high school dance. Despite being sick that week, Elise was still able to leave enough of an impression for John to insist to her that, “my darling, you are wonderful tonight” (Wonderful Tonight, Eric Clapton). A week later they started dating and enjoyed the rest of their senior year together. In the midst of college applications, finals, and teenage awkwardness, the two made the most of their time with the understanding that “maybe this won’t last very long, but you feel so right and I could be wrong” (The Longest Time, Billy Joel). Wanting each other to be free to experience life to the fullest, they decided to part ways for college and remain friends. These were best-laid plans, however, as it turns out John and Elise were really bad at being broken-up. Despite not officially dating, they stayed in close contact and even would go on self-proclaimed “adventures” together (which definitely weren’t dates). Though they would not admit their continued affection publicly, they couldn’t deny that the other was truly “unforgettable in every way” (Unforgettable, Nat King Cole). Then fate struck alongside covid when our two protagonists both found themselves back in the Chicagoland area for the lockdown. As restrictions were lightened, their group of high school friends made the most of all being back in the same area together, so John and Elise were spending more time together once again. This made it harder and harder to deny their feelings, and soon Elise found herself driving to John’s apartment one night ready to tell him, “I hope you notice I was never over you” (I’m Coming Over, Jason Mraz). Enjoying a Chicago summer night on John’s back deck, the two sat discussing their futures and the possibility of getting back together. After reviewing their past and potential obstacles to their relationship moving forward, they concluded that “after one or two false starts [we] believe we found our stride, and the walls that won’t come down, we can decorate or climb or find some way to get around” (Coast of Carolina, Jimmy Buffett). After that night their relationship restarted in full, and day after day, meal after carefully crafted meal, salmon after artfully caught salmon, Elise and John reaffirmed their love for one another. Plans of the future became more concrete and John found himself thinking of Elise that “she might just be my everything and beyond” (Beyond, Leon Bridges). After gaining the courage and making the plans, John asked Elise to marry him to which she replied of course – “for me there’s you and there ain’t nobody else” (How Sweet It Is To Be Loved by You, James Taylor). Reflecting on their journey together, John and Elise recognize that “we mighta took the long way, but we knew we’d get there someday” (You’re Still The One, Shania Twain). And now that they have, they’re so excited to celebrate their love with all their friends and family! It has been a crazy journey, but so worth it and they couldn’t be happier 😊 "Thank You" (Led Zeppelin) to everyone who has helped make this possible! Check out the playlist: John & Elise Story https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4kre469DpQHCxq4Dym0kkV?si=bK_hxcJ8RlucnpmerNfG8g&pi=u-9Qg-XQKXS7ik