Elle and Rudy have unknowingly crossed paths years before they were formally introduced. With many mutual friends they had probably been in the same room as each other without knowing. However, they didn't formally meet until Elle's roommate (thank you, Derek!) invited Rudy to their house. Their first interaction involved Elle asking Rudy for help to put a dish away that was too tall for her reach. They didn't see each other again until a couple of months later when Derek invited Rudy to come hang out with their group of friends on St. Patrick's Day. Rudy sneakily got Elle's number as a means of not getting lost from the group. He was successful because the night ended with pizza and Rudy crashing on their couch that night. They went on their first date a few weeks later and have been together ever since.