We met as coworkers at La Follette High School, but it wasn't until May that we started hanging out. It wouldn't be until almost 8 months later that our other coworkers would find out we were dating.

One night in early May we went to the Red Shed for Ryen's birthday. After a few too many cherry bombs and 32 oz long islands we shared our first kiss. It was a little blurry, but it was perfect.

Two months into the pandemic, Ryen and I finally moved in together. It was a cute one bedroom on the West Side of Madison. We spent the next 10 months working from home and quickly realized just how tiny it was.

Allison's Version: What I thought was a touristy walk across the Brooklyn Bridge became quickly much more than that. I couldn't figure out why Ryen was so adamant on seeing the skyline view from a very specific part of Brooklyn Bridge Park. At one point I remember telling him that he needed to slow down so we could enjoy the experience. Turns out there was a photographer waiting for us to catch the exact moment that Ryen got on one knee. When Ryen asked me to marry him I couldn’t believe it. I was convinced that he wouldn’t be able to surprise me. He sure did, and it was the easiest yes I’ve ever said. Ryen's Version: I had planned to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn the first morning we were in NYC. It was a plan three months in the making. That morning we woke up and Allison insisted on taking her time, but all I could think about was making sure the photographer I had hired stayed long enough for us to show up. I got nervous once we got to the bridge. Once we crossed the bridge my main goal was to find the photographer. Once we were in the correct location I got down on one knee, avoiding the puddles. I can’t remember exactly what I said, but the moment Allison said yes it all came back to me.