Cari and Eli’s journey began when they matched on Bumble in April of 2022. They chatted for a few weeks, their first date was simple and sweet: coffee at Mean Mug followed by a stroll through Coolidge Park, where they immediately hit it off. It didn't take long for Eli to become smitten, but Cari wasn’t sure if she was ready for a relationship—she only had a Bumble account because a friend (Bridesmaid Ashley) made it for her.

Cari was leaving the following week for a trip to Chile with Ashley, but when she returned, they reconnected over tacos at Taco Mamacita and a bike ride to St. Elmo. Shortly after, Cari was off again—this time to Switzerland for five weeks to work at a camp. Eli was starting to see that Cari's love of travel was a pretty huge part of her life, and would probably become a big part of his too if things worked out.

When Cari returned, they picked up where they left off, but life was busy. Cari was in grad school earning her Master’s in Social Work at UTC, and needed a break from dating. Eli was disappointed, but his patience paid off. By November, they were starting to hang out again—going to concerts and playing trivia at local breweries.

In December, Cari was off to New Zealand to visit Maid of Honour Hannah, who had already heard plenty about Eli, so the potential of a relationship was a heavy topic of conversation on the trip. Cari and Hannah hopped on a Facetime call with Eli from 2023 (it was still 2022 for Eli), and he won the best friend approval, which was important to Cari. On January 26, 2023, after a lunch date, Eli dropped Cari back off at her internship and jokingly asked if she had anything he should relay to his family at dinner that evening. Cari responded with, “I guess you can tell them I’m your girlfriend, if you want.” Eli was shocked and delighted, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Over the next year and a half, they shared countless adventures. From Yellowstone National Park, where their parents got to meet for the first time, to Europe for Best Man Chase’s wedding, their love for new experiences and exploring the world together grew. While Eli still has some major catching up to do on Cari’s country count, the two now share a passion for traveling—especially when there are cool birds to spot.

In May 2024, Eli popped the question with a surprise picnic at Coolidge Park, the site of their first date. Cari said "yes, yes, a thousand times yes", and now they look forward to spending the rest of their lives together.

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