While having some wine and talking about boys at Lama dogs in Santa Barbara, California, Natasha (Elyse's friend as well as her sister's husband's coworker) suggested that Elyse join her in Australia July 2017 when she went out there for work. Elyse just graduated with her Master's degree and JUST got a hip replacement and she felt as if anything was possible and that this was the perfect time for an adventure before staring her career. As soon as Elyse met Christopher in Australia, they were unable to stay apart. Elyse was trying her best to have a fun single adventurous time traveling places alone but she could not stay away from him! Elyse ended up stalling her flight home twice and spending almost everyday for the next 3 weeks with Christopher. Once Elyse could no longer extend her flight, reality hit and she had to go back home. It was a tearful airport goodbye, not knowing if they would ever see each other again. Both of them knew that the odds were against them since they lived across the world from each other. Texting every day, it was only 3 weeks later when Christopher visited Elyse in the USA, met her family, and got a taste of life in San Diego. Christopher visited once again a month later to accompany Elyse at her sister's wedding. On their last night together they said I love you for the first time. The more time they spent, the harder they fell in love. Elyse went back to Australia and New Zealand in the fall of 2017 to spend time with Christopher and his parents. From that point on, they knew that they could not live without each other. Chris visited Elyse in February of 2018 and the visit ended up being permanent! One month later they were engaged!

It was a long Monday after work when Elyse came home to find the apartment full of heart-shaped balloons, champagne, and her favorite treats. She also found her favorite person, Christopher sitting on the couch waiting. Confused at Christopher's looks of anxiousness and wondering what the occasion was since it was not Valentine's Day... Elyse stood in the doorway in awe. Bruno Mars "Marry Me" song was playing and Christopher couldn't wait any longer. He got on one knee and started to put the ring on the wrong hand. Elyse corrected Christopher with a giggle and then he got it right! Christopher then put a beautiful custom ring on Elyse's finger and started to stand up. Elyse asked, "wait, aren't you forgetting something?!" Christopher stated, "Oh!!! Will you marry me?!" Elyse exclaimed, "Yes!" while embracing. Then they enjoyed some fancy champagne while Elyse stared in awe at her new ring and her handsome fiancé.