Eivind chose to study teaching, and while studying at Notodden he met Ragna Hagen (1902 - 1960) from Tangen in Hedemark. They married on June 18th, 1925, in her home town. The townspeople of the bride are reported to have been impressed with the elaborate national costumes the family of the bride according to Telemark traditions wore to the wedding.
In 1926 Eivind and Ragna had a daughter, Aslaug Johanne. She is named after her grandmothers Aslaug Groven in Lårdal and Johanne Hagen at Tangen. Ragna's sister, the author Ingeborg Refling Hagen, was (gudmor)