We're Getting Married!

Elise and I first met at Persistence Culture, a CrossFit Gym in Ventura, CA. For anyone that knows me, I have always been dense when it comes to picking up on flirting cues, and even that sounds like a complete understatement. All during the craziness of COVID-19, we somehow met, even though we both weren’t looking for a relationship. I remember walking into the gym on a Saturday morning, seeing her do pull-ups and heavy squats and was like “Dang, that girl is beautiful AND strong.” It took a few weekends for us to finally get introduced to each other by a friend and, for the record, she added me on Instagram first… BUT… I DM’d her first =P. The conversation started over the book “Relationship Goals” by Michael Todd, and then went on for a few weeks over messages and in-person chats. I’m pretty sure I drove Elise crazy with the "friend" vibes. The number of times she dropped hints about wanting to spend time one-on-one would have been obvious to anyone else (Remember… DENSE). I liked her a lot but wasn’t sure if I was ready to date. After talking to some mentors and God switching my brain on, I finally asked Elise out on a date, just a few days after a few group hangouts and me telling her that I wanted to get to know her more in group settings (DEEEENSE). Our first official date was at a local bar in downtown Ventura called VenTiki, one of my favorite places to spend time with friends. I was a nervous wreck, but it felt really comfortable just being together. The next night, we went to a Halloween party together, and when I dropped her off, I asked her to be my girlfriend. I know… I move FAST. If you think that’s surprising, just picture how surprised Elise was when it happened. She messaged me the next morning asking if I really asked her, to which I happily and excitedly replied “YUP!” Fast forward to our 6 month dating anniversary, I proposed (I told you I move fast…), and now, WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!!!

Uziel and I met at a gym in Ventura, CA called Persistence Culture but I remember seeing Uziel at another gym in Ventura years prior. Uziel instantly stood out to be because he was intentional and personable with everyone in our gym which was refreshing and admirable. I could sense that he was spirit filled. Soon after meeting Uziel I added him on instagram and then he slid into my DM's with a message concerning a book called Relationship Goals that we had both been reading. In my head I was like this guy loves Jesus, believes in a Christ centered relationship, lifts heavy things, and looks like the Rock? WE LOVE THAT. Uziel and I began to message each other on a daily basis talking about our day, faith, and ways that we could pray for one another. We would also see each other at the gym almost everyday and hang out together. I was waiting for Uziel to ask me out........ and it just was not happening. I remember talking to my best friend, Leah Kopp on the beach at sunset saying I just don't get this guy. She told me to drop him at that point (Now we are both happy I did not). Uziel ended up inviting me to a game night at his house were I totally thought he was going to ask me out. To get the record straight I loath game nights but when you catch the feels you gotta do what you gotta do. At the game night I got serious friend vibes but a few days later we went to a cigar night and Uzi walked me to my car and told me he liked me and wanted to get to know me in more group settings. A few days later he invited me to a beer tasting night at his house (way more my scene than a game night) and he asked me out on a date. Our first date was at Ventiki and it was lovely! After our date he asked if he could take me to our gym halloween party. This was technically our second date. After the halloween party he asked me to be his girlfriend. I remember being so shocked that he asked me to be his girlfriend. What happened to taking things slow? The rest is history.