R&A

It was Angela's first year of college at UCSB and Ryan's second year. The year 2020 meant that the college experience shifted to Zoom classes and virtual club meeting spaces. Angela's desire for a college community in this unusual time led her to AACF, where Ryan already was. You might think that out of all the Zoom squares on her screen, Angela noticed Ryan's tiny square because of his dashing good looks... but the truth was actually in his sideburns. Ryan wanted to see what would happen if he didn't shave at all during this socially distanced time, and as a consequence, he was beginning to look like Abraham Lincoln. So, Angela did in fact notice Ryan on Zoom, but for different reasons. She later found out that Ryan was Tyler's brother, whom she already knew before, so she boldly started a conversation with Ryan. Ryan later asked to call 1-on-1 to get to know each other, and they ended up chatting for 3 hours! From there, they continued to chat, took some classes together, and hung out with friends together. In March 2021, Angela and Ryan met in-person for the first time through a small group hangout. They realized that they enjoyed each other's company just as much, if not more, while together in person... and the rest is history :)

"What a well-mannered young man." That was the comment I made to my mom about Ryan that let her know someone special had caught my eye. After Ryan helped me register for a class (which he just so happened to be taking too), went out of his way to pick me up multiple times, sacrificed sleep to text me late into the night, and more... I thought he was just a very nice guy. But soon, his generous, respectful, and kind heart won me over and I couldn't wait to stay up late talking to him. After Ryan asked me out while we were overlooking the city lights, I felt so excited but also nervous because he would be my first relationship. I remembered that growing up, I always told my mom that I wanted one best friend for life, and she told me that I would find someone just like that one day. I told him I wanted to pray about it... so I made him wait two agonizing (in his words) weeks. He waited so patiently until the night we were parked outside Lacy Park. We talked for hours about faith, relationships, and who we are. After a meaningful prayer together and feeling a deep sense of peace wash over me, I demanded Ryan to ask me again... "Will you be my girlfriend?" and this time, I said "Yes" with a smile :) Patience and prayer allowed us to walk into this relationship with a firm foundation, and may He continue to be our firm foundation into this new stage of our relationship!

I didn't think I would find the love of my life being at home during COVID. Little did I know I would meet a girl with a contagious laugh, a silly personality, a deep love for God, and a beautiful heart, who makes me the happiest guy in the world. After talking to her just once or twice, I wanted to spend every second with her so I asked her out! For the next couple of years, I loved going through college with her at UC Santa Barbara and knew she was "The One" soon after I graduated.