Ben and Isla's story starts in the heart of West Texas at Abilene Christian University. Isla was a Junior physics major and Ben was a Sophomore Bible major. Both took an interest in the swing dance classes offered at the rec center led by Dr. Cole Bennett. The group was called "Swing Cats" inspired by the college mascot Wildcats. Ben and Isla were both regular attenders of Swing Cats and would perform with them at college events. They found they both shared a love of dance and worked hard in class but also would have loads of fun learning new steps and choreography. In May, the last week of school, Ben asked Isla out on a date and it was an instant connection. After they went and saw a movie, they shared taco bell and laughs under a gazebo at the Harden Simmons University park. A month later, Ben was Isla's date to her college friend's wedding. Ben was unfortunately subjected to meeting all of Isla's friends - however he soon became the life of the party and Isla and Ben stayed on the dance floor all evening together (and yes, they swing danced). After the wedding, Isla's friend's raved about Ben and it was starting to look to Isla that she may have found the one.

Ben and Isla spent the summer together, both working in Abilene and living in the University Park Apartments. Allee (Isla's twin sister) and Bailey (Isla's great friend from college) were in Abilene as well and the four of them spent hours playing games, cooking and hosting spontaneous photo shoots by the lake. The four of them took a trip together to Wyoming where Ben's parents live and had an adventure seeing all the wild west has to offer.

Bliss couldn't last forever however, and after an amazing 9 months of living in the same city, Ben took a trip studying abroad in Germany. This was the beginning of a long, hard, and arduous journey of long distance. While Ben was away, Isla graduated and took a job in New York City as a 5th grade teacher in the South Bronx. It was a great opportunity for Isla to earn her Masters in Teaching as well do some traveling herself. For the next two years, Isla and Ben lived 2000 miles apart, and were only able to visit only about every three months. These were the longest years of Isla's life. They didn't let them go to waste however. Isla took this time to grow her faith and prepare herself for a life of marriage with Ben who wants to be a missionary, as well as save money. Ben took this time also to grow in his faith, finish his bachelors, and take an internship to do missionary work in Cambodia. Now, after a long and difficult two years, the two come back together as more matured, prepared individuals, ready to be united as one in marriage.