Our love story took years in the making. The journey was, and is the real story that brought us to this happy ending and it’s only the beginning.

Ian and Lisa both grew up on the West coast, mostly in Washington. They both landed in beautiful Gig Harbor where Ian began building relationships with friends that would eventually become part of Lisa’s circle. They attended rival High Schools and lived only miles apart, but somehow never crossed paths.

While Ian graduated from the University of Washington, Lisa followed her dreams to Las Vegas and toured the country with her band. They both began building their careers and creating lifelong friendships in the process. Ian moved South and traveled a bit, while Lisa stayed close and became a mom to Aidan and Gia.

When the kids were small, Lisa started attending University Place Presbyterian Church with her parents. It was at Sunset Christian Preschool where Lisa met a wonderful group of moms, including Ian’s sister, Erica. They shared a special bond and became close over the years raising kids.

Still, Lisa and Ian never met.

Over the next few years both struggled in their personal lives and experienced great hardship and sadness. Yet through hard times they discovered strengths, deep friendships and renewed relationships with God.

In 2014 both Ian and Lisa experienced major changes and moved back to University Place only blocks away from each other. They officially met at church when Ian began attending with his sister and her family. They quickly bonded over their past connections and mutual friends. Crossing paths often now, Ian became Aidan’s small group leader and gained hero status with Gia (and Lisa) when he recovered some lost money and an iphone.

The two began to learn more about each other over long walks at Chambers Bay, fun nights playing cards, and time spent together in meaningful conversation. On May 13th, 2017, they decided to go on a date. The first date lasted 10 hours, took place in 4 restaurants, and provided a million laughs. Many more dates and adventures would follow and Lisa & Ian have been inseparable since... Lisian is formed!

On June 26th, 2020 Ian, Lisa, Aidan and Gia bought their first house together and Ian popped the question as soon as they moved in. They will be married on December 26th, 2020 in honor of Lisa‘s parents, Dave and Llew Ernst, on their 69th wedding anniversary.