The wheels were set in motion back in the summer of 2007. Eli was helping his friend Omar Naguib move furniture, which resulted in Omar needing to borrow a trailer from his family friend Rana Panzino. That day Eli met Rana for the first time. Over the next few months, Eli, Omar, Rana, and several of their mutual friends began to hang out together. At the end of the summer, Rana mentioned to Eli that her close friend Lisa had recently returned from living abroad in Thailand. It was then that Rana began to lay the groundwork to play matchmaker. After a few weeks of Rana dropping hints to Eli about meeting her friend—and to a reluctant Lisa who did not want to be set up—Rana and a handful of her girlfriends were out celebrating Rana’s birthday at a bar in Uptown. Eli and Omar knew the girls would be there, so they showed up to say hi. That’s when Eli and Lisa met for the first time! It was a brief encounter, but they both knew it wouldn’t be the last. A week later, Omar hosted a dinner party, and Eli and Lisa spent most of the night getting to know one another (Lisa was impressed that Eli owned a horse). They also made plans for their first date —dinner at The King & I. They discussed Lisa’s worldwide travels and Eli’s desire to do more traveling. As they continued dating, Lisa’s love for traveling and cultural immersion began to rub off on Eli. They began to take trips and adventures to create new experiences together (Lisa has now traveled to over twenty countries!). Fast forward about ten years: Eli and Lisa now live in southwest Minneapolis with their giant, adorable dog Zola and cute, snuggly cat Lulu. Over the many wonderful years Lisa and Eli have spent together, the large group of Lisa’s longtime friends have become a big part of Lisa and Eli’s lives, resulting in good times in which old bonds have been further fortified, and new lifelong friendships have been made. And around Christmas 2016, Eli and Lisa finally decided it was about time to get married!

Eli and Lisa will be married in a private ceremony in Loring Park with immediate family. The ceremony will be officiated by Judge Gina Brandt. Rana and Omar will serve as witnesses.