Nick and Ellie initially met in 7th grade, however it was only after Emily Hanson re-introduced them in the summer following their junior year of high school that they actually became close friends. Friendship turned into romance when Nick asked Ellie out on their first date—dinner at El Mariachi. Nick witnessed Ellie demolish a basket of tortilla chips and knew she was the one for him. After this first date, the two became inseparable.

Nick and Ellie made things "official" on November 9th, 2013 when Nick asked Ellie to be his girlfriend. During the rest of their senior year of high school the two could often be found enjoying bon fires "up in China" with their friends at the Wallace household, visiting the horses at Scott and Stacie's house in Boone, or eating Kelly's world famous Tortellini at the Duben house.

After high school graduation, Nick and Ellie both attended the University of Iowa. While in Iowa City, Ellie fell in love with Nick's extended family. Whether it was Sunday dinner at Grandpa Ron and Grandma Sally's house, or Friday wine night at Grandma Linda's house with the McDonalds, the two always had something going on. Of course, it goes without saying that they never missed a home Iowa football game during undergrad. The two will always be grateful to the Elmings and Hansons for hosting them at their tailgates. GO HAWKS!

After graduating from college, Ellie was accepted into the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at the University of Iowa, and Nick moved to Kansas City where he got a job as a software trainer at ScriptPro. When COVID hit, Ellie's final semester of PT school went virtual, so she decided it was the perfect time to get Arlo, their Golden Retriever. In January of 2021, after a two year long distance relationship, Ellie and Arlo moved to Kansas City.

Nick and Ellie found their perfect apartment in Lenexa and enjoyed taking Arlo on long walks and swimming at the local dog beach. When the couple needed a break from their full-time jobs, they would drop Arlo off at Mike and Loraine’s house in Johnston to go on vacation. Whether it was to Charleston, Sarasota, Austin, or NYC the couple loved exploring new places together.

In the Spring of 2023 Ellie and Nick started looking at engagement rings. After some detailed direction from Ellie and her sisters, Nick was able to find the perfect ring at Herteen and Stocker in Iowa City. Nick proposed in their KC apartment on August 1st, 2023. As they were moving across the country at the end of the month, this was the perfect last memory in their first home together.

After their engagement, they embraced their spirit of adventure and started traveling full time. In September of 2023, Ellie started her first placement as a travel Physical Therapist in Annapolis, Maryland. In February they packed up and headed for warmer weather in Savannah, Georgia. They are currently in Windsor, Colorado which is where they will be leading up to the wedding.

Thank you all for your support throughout the last decade! We cannot wait to celebrate our marriage with you on September 17, 2024 in the beautiful Rocky Mountains!