Let's rewind to the very start... Before Christopher and Ellie met and fell head over heels for each other, they were each caught up in their own separate adventures, unaware of each other's existence. Shortly after graduating, Christopher spent four months exploring Europe, jotting down all the remarkable places he dreamed of sharing with his future wife.

Ellie was immersed in the vibrant life of San Diego, where she enjoyed roller skating, teaching martial arts, painting, reading, frolicking on the beach, and petting every dog she encountered. Unbeknownst to her, and to Christopher, their lives were on the brink of a dramatic transformation.

Christopher and Ellie met in June 2022. Let's set the scene: Ellie was teaching martial arts, and Christopher had just moved to San Diego with his cousin, Justin. A few days after the move, Christopher was strolling down the street with his dad when they passed a martial arts studio just a few blocks from his new apartment. After spotting a cute girl through the window, Christopher knew it was time to dust off his martial arts uniform and take a class...

A bit apprehensive but intrigued, Christopher decided to check out a class at the studio of the charming girl he had seen. Upon meeting her and discovering her name was Ellie, he complimented her tie-dyed gi pants, which sparked a conversation about judo throws and their mutual passion for martial arts. They quickly bonded over their shared favorite judo throw, O Goshi. After class, feeling bold, Christopher asked Ellie, "Hey, wanna learn a cool new way to do O Goshi?" And that was just the beginning.

From the moment they met, Ellie felt an undeniable connection with Christopher. As they started texting and spending time together, Ellie took it upon herself to be Christopher's tour guide, introducing him to the best of San Diego. They enjoyed beach bonfires (as shown in this picture), practiced judo together, and went on picnics—all while remaining "just friends."

One day, while Christopher and Ellie were at a local bowling alley in Pacific Beach, Christopher asked Ellie out on a date. Caught off guard but delighted, Ellie simply replied, "I accept." They enjoyed a fun day together at the San Diego County Fair before going on their first official date: roller skating and eating pasta in Little Italy.

After their first date, they quickly became inseparable. Christopher didn't waste any time and asked Ellie to be his girlfriend. With a smile, Ellie responded, "I accept."

Just two weeks after their first date—yes, you read that correctly, two weeks!—Ellie met Christopher's parents, Ted and Laura. She was warmly welcomed into the Pullen family and felt an immediate sense of belonging.

In their first few months of dating, Ellie and Christopher embraced the vibrant life of San Diego. They attended concerts, swam in the ocean, went out with friends, and even tackled moving—Christopher helped Ellie move twice during their first year together!

While Christopher worked as a one-on-one aide in a special needs middle school classroom, Ellie transitioned from teaching martial arts to advancing her career in property management. Together, they reveled in their growing love and the joy of building a life together.

Christopher's deep love for Ellie was clear when she managed to persuade him to dress up for their first Halloween together. They made quite an impression at their friend's Halloween party, arriving as Pooh Bear and Christopher Robin, while everyone else was decked out in leather, face paint, and overall, very...different costume styles.

Christopher took Ellie home to the Bay for the first time in November, where she met most of his extended family. She was warmly welcomed with open arms, a glass of wine, and lots of love.

During their trip to the Bay, Christopher and Ellie explored San Francisco and both instantly fell in love with the idea of living in the City.

Shortly after returning to San Diego from their Northern California holiday, Ellie and Christopher made it official: they were moving to San Francisco! Christopher chose to pursue a master's degree in education to become a teacher, while Ellie searched for property management jobs in the Bay and enrolled in community college to kickstart her higher education journey. Christopher was accepted into San Francisco State University's master's program, and Ellie secured a position in HOA property management right in the heart of the City.

In their final months in San Diego, Ellie and Christopher cherished surfing, eating a lot burritos, and spending quality time with friends. While they eagerly anticipated their new adventure, they knew they would deeply miss the city where their love story had begun.

In July 2023, Christopher’s parents drove down to San Diego to assist Ellie and Christopher with packing up their two-bedroom apartment and relocating to their new studio in San Francisco. For Ellie, who had spent ten years in San Diego, the move was an emotional blend of freedom and nostalgia. When they finally opened the doors to their new home, both felt a profound sense of relief, thrilled for the new adventure ahead and glad the eight-hour drive was behind them.

And just like that, their lives became busier than ever! Ellie embarked on her "big girl job" in the Financial District (as pictured), began classes at City College, while Christopher started student teaching in tandem with his master's program.

Soon after their move, Christopher and Ellie's family expanded with the addition of a fiery, cuddly, and energetic orange tabby cat. They named him Burton Guster, inspired by a character from one of their favorite TV shows, Psych.

Gus became their favorite thing in the world...

Ellie and Christopher absolutely loved exploring the City and all its offerings. From attending Warriors games to hiking, street fairs, and festivals, they shared unforgettable experiences and made new friends along the way.

As Christopher and Ellie immersed themselves in this new season of life, the question began to arise: when would Christopher pop the big question? With a sneaking suspicion that Christopher had made a recent square-box-purchase following their ring shopping dates, Ellie began to wonder, thinking perhaps there may be a special little present for her under the tree...

Well, Christmas came and went, and it seemed as though Christopher was making more and more romantic gestures, one of which being a trip to Castello Di Amorosa, the gorgeous castle winery in Napa. Ellie was sure that this would be where he would get down on one knee...

While the wine was delightful, the big question remained unasked. Ellie turned her hopes to the next opportunity: her birthday trip to Tahoe. She was convinced this would be the moment—after all, the perfect, tranquil snowfall seemed like the ideal backdrop for Christopher to propose.

While still ringless, Ellie and Christopher had an amazing time in Tahoe with Ted and Laura. Ellie was barely able to walk for a week after her first snowboarding lesson, courtesy of her instructors, Christopher and Ted.

In March, Christopher whisked Ellie away to the charming Northern California beach town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. They stayed in a quaint inn that delivered breakfast in a picnic basket each morning. They basked in the perfect spring weather, savored fresh, locally-made donuts, and enjoyed delicious lattes. Christopher had arranged a delightful afternoon picnic on the beach, where Ellie just so happened to be wearing white.

They spent the morning curating the perfect picnic. After picking up a bottle of wine from the local grocery store, they stopped by the Carmel Cheese Shop for cheese and crackers, and finally visited the local bakery for some fresh-baked pretzels. With the picnic basket packed and ready, they strolled down the beach, admiring the stunning ocean views along the way.

After savoring their perfect picnic, Christopher asked Ellie to dance with him...

Ellie could hardly believe the perfection of the day they were experiencing and wanted to live in the moment forever.

And BOOM! It happened!

The proposal was everything Ellie had ever dreamed of. When the moment came to answer "Will you marry me?", Ellie responded without hesitation, "I accept!"

After Ellie said yes, they reveled in the perfect moment, dancing and embracing. Christopher then whispered, "My parents are here." As Ellie turned around, she spotted Ted and Laura across the beach, hiding behind the rocks with a camera in hand, beaming from ear to ear.

Ted and Laura emerged, with a couple of glasses in hand, a bottle of champagne, and hugs.

And just like that, they were engaged, surrounded by those they love, and happy as can be.