Ellie & Mike: A Traditional Wedding in Bonnet Island, NJ

High school sweethearts Ellie and Mike have been friends since middle school. Ellie remembers that on her first day of high school, Mike was the first person she saw. They were both nervous, but “talking to him really made the transition easier,” Ellie says. For their first date, they planned to meet at a movie theater on Route 22. Ellie’s mom dropped her off, and minutes later Mike rode up on his bicycle. He had missed his ride and instead of standing Ellie up, he’d ridden his bike on the highway to get there. On their date, he presented her with a crystal bear keychain, and nine years later they were still together. The Bride Ellie Hodara, 24, Spanish teacher The Groom Mike Mroz, 24, project manager The Date May 26 Unable to wait until her birthday, as planned, Mike surprised Ellie at home with a sparkler of another sort and asked her to be his wife. She said yes, and they were married almost a year later at a beautiful island estate.