Arielle De Lisle ’15 was a sophomore University Studies major focusing on sociology when she met Kyle Cadagin ’13 during a game of beer pong at an off-campus party. While not typically considered a romantic scenario, the friendly competition led to a date between the two about a week later.
Appears InCadagin, then a senior renewable energy major, took De Lisle to Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington and a lovely dinner. The evening went so well that the two became inseparable throughout the months leading up to Cadagin’s graduation in May.
“The idea of a long distance relationship seemed daunting,” said De Lisle, who had an additional two years of study to complete her degree. “We made it work, visiting each other as often as we could and talking on the phone every night, making sure to never go to sleep without saying
‘I love you.’”
The two found an apartment in Chicago after De Lisle graduated, and it was there Cadagin proposed on Christmas morning of 2016. During the months following, the couple purchased and renovated a house that became an active home with two dogs.
The wedding was on October 6, 2018, at a beautiful barn setting in Three Oaks, Michigan.
“We were lucky enough to share that experience with all of our family and friends, including several fellow former Redbirds,” said De Lisle, who is an order management specialist with Enpro Inc. Her husband is an emissions test engineer with Mustardi Platt. The couple lives in Glen Ellyn, where they joyfully continue their adventure as a couple that developed only because they each attended Illinois State.
“We are both truly grateful for the life we have made together, the family and friends we share it with, and the happy future that lies ahead,” De Lisle said, “but mostly for that chance game of beer pong on Cherry Street, which is where our love began.”
