During freshman year at John Carroll University, it was common for students to leave their dorm doors open, to meet new people and chat with friends around the halls. During the first month of the fall semester, Katie was visiting her new friends in Pacelli Hall. While waiting for her friends to change their clothes, she stood in the hallways and noticed Ryan's door open. She wandered across the hall into Ryan’s room and introduced herself. After that, Ryan and Katie fell into the same friend group and regularly spent time together.

Timing is everything, right? While friends and family knew it was meant to be, Katie and Ryan remained just friends for 2 years before dating. In the spring of 2016, they both were single and began to felt the sparks fly. After their first "official" date at Maggiano's Little Italy, Ryan asked Katie to be his girlfriend. And to his surprise, she said...no. She was afraid of ruining their friendship and the dynamic of their shared friend-group. He gave her a few days to reconsider, and asked again. On May 8, 2016, Katie realized that the best things in life can be scary, and Ryan was too special to her. When he asked again, she said "Why didn't you ask me sooner?"

Ryan spent months planning the perfect engagement and picking out the perfect ring. In September 2020 (amid the global pandemic), Ryan hopped on a plane and spent the day in New York City, picking out Katie’s diamond and setting, and watching the ring come together. Shout out to Kevin for the help! Ryan asked Katie’s parents and her sister for permission. On September 17th, 2020, Ryan took Katie back to John Carroll University, where all their favorite memories were made. On the Hamlin Quad, he got down on one knee and made one more special memory at JCU.