Being in the right place at the right time can make all the difference! Studying in the cozy chairs of Martha Miller Hall on Hope College’s campus, our love story began. After noticing each other from across the room, Noah mustered up the courage to approach Eliana for a coffee date, a simple invitation that would set the course of our journey together. After sharing contact information, a few patiently awaited weeks passed by before our first date, an event for Noah's hockey team.

As the initial nervousness faded away, we realized the effortless connection we shared and how much fun we had together. A second and third date quickly followed!

Then, the pandemic hit, and we found ourselves quarantined together in the same "social pod." We made the most of Noah's senior year, cherishing the forced downtime and spending endless hours playing games and Mario Kart, all which drew us even closer.

After Noah's graduation and with Eliana still having two years of college left, we navigated a long-distance relationship together. Despite the heartache of parting ways after weekends and holiday breaks, the adage "absence makes the heart grow fonder" held true.

We are so grateful for that chance encounter four years ago and cannot wait to start this next chapter together as husband and wife!