Six years ago, on a cold Sunday in December, Elizabeth and Deric had their first date. It was a blind date, set up by Margaret "Cookie" Clapper, who attends Deric's family church, Our Lady of Carter Lake. She knew both Elizabeth's and Deric's families, and told her daughter, Tracie, that she thought Deric should take Elizabeth out sometime. Tracie passed Elizabeth's phone number along to Deric's mom, Lori. Deric took a chance and asked Elizabeth out. He picked the perfect place: Pitch Pizzeria – a cozy, romantic restaurant in the historic Dundee neighborhood of Omaha. They hit it off right away!

The next six years were an adventure. On their first date, Elizabeth shared that she'd studied abroad in Italy her senior year of college. Deric had never been outside the country, but after meeting Elizabeth that quickly changed. They traveled the world together – exploring Paris, Sydney, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Budapest, Beijing, London, and more! When they weren't traveling, they spent their time enjoying life with family and friends in Omaha.

In November of 2019, at the same restaurant where they shared their first date, Deric got down on one knee and asked Elizabeth to marry him. On October 9, 2021, they'll exchange vows in the same small church that brought them together in the first place.