Reagan and Elora met freshman year of high school in biology class. After developing a friendship over the next three years, they began dating senior year. By that time, both had already chosen their colleges (Texas Tech and UNT), so they decided to "try out" long distance.
All four years of college, they managed to maintain a relationship despite being five hours apart. Car rides, bus rides, flights, and traveling back to Austin on school breaks allowed them to see each other every few months. Finally, after years of waiting, they were set to graduate in 2020 and move in together.
Then, COVID hit. Suddenly all plans went out the window, and they got to move in much quicker than anticipated. Reagan ended up packing everything into her small sedan, driving to Denton, and moving into Elora's studio apartment to quarantine together (with Petunia, their Great Dane).
After thriving in quarantine together, relocating a few times in North Texas, and raising Howie together, Reagan and Elora once again entered a new chapter when they both started their graduate degrees in 2021.
When both were nearing the end of their programs, Reagan surprised Elora with a trip she always wanted to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she proposed at the top of a mountain. After much deliberation, Elora said yes (there was no deliberation). They are proud to say they have both completed their programs, gotten full-time positions, and are enjoying every second of being engaged!