Ramblin' On: From Loyola with Love

Evan and Liz were introduced by a mutual friend just before a mixer, only two weeks into the school year. Hailing from Evanston, Liz took one look at Evan—who was from Barrington—and jokingly assumed he must be a "country boy" who had grown up on a farm. But any misconceptions quickly faded as the two hit it off, spending the night talking, laughing, and dancing together.

Although their romance was short-lived during high school, the pair stayed close and enjoyed the remainder of their time at Loyola as friends. A music lover, Evan played violin in the orchestra while also competing in volleyball and sailing—all of which, along with his long commutes from Barrington, he credits for his strong work ethic. Liz, on the other hand, ran on the track team and played piano. However, Loyola's service programs proved to be most impactful to Liz, who, after years of volunteering at a pediatric physical therapy clinic, has gone on to become an orthopedic physical therapist and integrative nutritionist where she empowers her clients to take control of their health through nutrition.

After graduating from Loyola, Evan and Liz took different paths. Evan headed to Middlebury College in Vermont and Liz to Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame. But fate wasn't finished with them yet. Their paths crossed again at a party hosted by fellow Rambler Bruce Ponsaran '99 after they finished their sophomore year, and it was as if no time had passed.

From then on, Evan and Liz were inseparable and spent the rest of that summer attached at the hip. When the time came for them to return to their respective schools, the pair committed to a long distance relationship—navigating not only the miles between Vermont and Indiana but also an ocean when Evan studied abroad in France.

After years of phone calls, weekend visits, and time zones apart, Evan and Liz were finally able to put the long distance behind them. They moved back to Chicago, excited to start the next chapter of their lives together in the same city.

Liz went on to pursue her doctorate at Northwestern University while Evan dove into his career in financial advising and now owns his own wealth management firm. The couple eventually tied the knot over the Fourth of July weekend at The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island in 2007. Their wedding was filled with familiar faces, as several Rambler classmates joined in the celebration. Samantha (Darnell) Ashbaker '99 stood by Liz's side as a bridesmaid, while Andy Baluch '99, Brian Tuteur '99, and Will Moran '99 were among the guests who helped them celebrate their big day.

Now, their Loyola legacy continues with their two children. Elle, a freshman, is proudly following in her parents' footsteps, fully immersing herself in the Loyola experience. She shares Evan's love for music and is a dedicated violinist in the orchestra, her favorite class. Danny, 11, is not far behind and will soon carry on the family tradition when he reaches high school.

For Evan and Liz, Loyola Academy isn't just where they met—it’s where their lifelong love story began, built on friendships and experiences that continue to shape their journey.