It is difficult to encapsulate almost half a lifetime together in a few short paragraphs, but here is a small glimpse into our life together so far. This is just the beginning of so many more wonderful years together, soon to be officially husband and wife! The couple’s togetherness began long before they even knew. They grew up about fifteen minutes from each other (Ellie in Burlington and Max in Villa Hills), but never met until the very first day of college orientation at the University of Louisville in 2011, a hundred miles from home. Ellie made the first move by introducing herself to Max, who was way too nervous to approach a girl so far out of his league. As it turns out, Ellie felt the same about Max, but thankfully she gathered the courage to say hello in between ice-breaker games and the romantic soundtrack of V.I.C.’s “Wobble” blasting on the cafeteria speakers. Over the summer, the couple messaged a bit and even crossed paths once at a fast-food restaurant, but didn’t meet up again until the fall semester started. Throughout early college, Max and Ellie very quickly knew there was something more than just a blossoming friendship. The stereotypical college parties with new and old friends provided the perfect atmosphere for them to be one another’s dates, and time in between classes allowed their young love to take root in walks around campus and frequent study parties and movie nights. Max vividly remembers coming home on a break from school and telling his close friends in the Benzingers’ living room, “I really mean it; I think I’m going to marry this girl!” Another of Fate’s early steps came true when Max and Ellie officially started dating one cinematic and rainy night on January 10, 2012. You may need an abacus for this one, but that means Max and Ellie have been together for over thirteen years!

In May of 2014 the couple moved into their first apartment together, and a year later moved one street over where they were joined by their first fur-baby, Miss Kitty. Allegedly, someone (Max, it was 100% Max) left saucers of milk and tuna out for her so she would know it was safe to join them. She knew their home was so full of love and stayed with them for five beautiful years. In 2016, the family was joined (to Miss Kitty’s initial dismay) by their wonderful and silly Beagle, Otis. August 2017 took the couple and Otis to a very special place - the Terlep family cabin in northern Wisconsin. There they spent quality time with Ellie’s grandparents and Max got to enjoy some of the beautiful memories Ellie experienced growing up. The cabin will play a big part in their story a few years down the road. Ellie graduated with her Master’s from Morehead in 2018, began teaching, and stayed at Western Middle School for six years, where she made lifelong friends and made a difference in the lives of so many students and cheerleaders. Max eventually got a job with Republic Bank in 2020, where he is today. The days and years passed by so quickly as they had so much fun together, sharing in love and laughter amidst trips and visits with friends and family in Northern Kentucky, Chicago, Fort Wayne, Central Illinois, Wisconsin, Washington State, and everywhere in between. In June of 2021, the couple moved into their beautiful home near Churchill Downs and by September were joined by Todd, a local resident junkyard puppy. But things were not always garlands of roses and puppy kisses. After many sleepless nights and many long talks, after many years of struggles and, frankly, an often rocky foundation for the couple, lots changed in November 2022 when Max decided to make a significant life change, with his love for Ellie and the couple’s future in mind. Max has been sober ever since, and it is truly as if the couple’s love has blossomed all over again. Their little family grew again in May of 2023 when Lady the mama cat and Lucy, one of her daughters, found their loving home. There may or may not have once again been mysterious milk and tuna involved, allegedly.

Most everyone reading this felt the immense loss of our brother Luke in April of 2024. Luke was with the couple every single step of the way - celebrating special days with family and friends, storming the field at Louisville City games, singing late-night karaoke, keeping Max up playing video games later than a work-night bedtime. Luke was the embodiment of unerring love and support that we all hope to achieve in any relationship. He is with us every day and will undoubtedly be with us on August 9th in the cardinals’ songs, in the breeze in the trees, in the golden-hour hues of the late afternoon sun, and always and forever in our love for one another. A renewed sense of how precious each day is led Max and Ellie to reconsider the concept of marriage, a union they had both previously thought not entirely necessary. Max spoke with his family and shared his intentions, eventually met with Ellie’s dad, and asked for John’s blessing to make things official. A Terlep family trip to the cabin in June of 2024 revealed that Max had been planning on proposing for many months. Chasing a sunset in a private moment on the dock of Little Arbor Vitae Lake, Max asked Ellie if she would marry him, to love and to cherish one another as they had already for so many years, now as husband and wife. Amidst excited tears of joy and overwhelming emotion, Ellie said yes, the couple rejoined the Terlep family, and made calls to the rest of the family. How Patty and Sheila kept the secret for the weeks leading up to the trip is still an undeniable miracle. We cannot wait to join all of you on our wedding day and to celebrate the blessings of life and love that we all share together! Thank you for being a part of our lives and for sharing in our special day.